A.—o
1920. NEW ZEALAND.
NAVAL MISSION TO THE DOMINION OF NEW ZEALAND (ADDENDUM No 1 TO REPORT OF ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET VISCOUNT JELLCOE OF SCAPA, G.C.B., O.M., G.C.V.O., ON).
Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.
The following is a paraphrase of a telegram dated 15th November, 1919, from Admiral of the Fleet Viscount Jellicoe to the Governor-General of New Zealand: — The Admiralty have decided that surplus warships may in some cases be offered as gifts to the Dominions. Types available are not mentioned. With reference to the postscript to my letter No. P. 187, of 3rd October, 1919 (page 11 of Volume I of my report on naval affairs to the Government of New Zealand), the following action is now recommended : — (i.) Establish Navy Board Administration, including the appointment of a Commodore as Chief of the Naval Staff. (ii.) Organize and commence recruiting. (iii.) " Philomel " to be fitted out and commissioned as a training-ship. (iv.) Acquire from the Admiralty a coal-burning light cruiser having a main armament comprising 6 in. guns only. With regard to the acquisition of further vessels, it is difficult to offer advice without having before me the entire correspondence passing between New Zealand and the Admiralty, and delay and confusion might result even if I were kept informed of all such communications. If suitable vessels can be obtained, it is considered that by following the lines shown in the alternative Table VI forwarded to Your Excellency, the Prime Minister, and the Minister of Defence, the general scheme for the development of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy can be carried out, any necessary modifications to the table being made to meet the conditions encountered. In this connection attention is drawn to Section I of Chapter IV of Volume II of my Report. ****** The Governor-General was asked to cause copies of this telegram and the alternative Table VI to be printed and issued as addenda to Volume I of the report. A copy of the table is attached hereto. H.M.S. " New Zealand," 16th November, 1919.