H—s

SECTION VIII. —PERSONNEL : " WAR ONLY " PERSONNEL On the Ist April, 1945, the following " war only " personnel were serving in the Royal New Zealand Navy: —

2. The entry of " war only " personnel was continued during the year until VJ Day (15th August, 1945), when recruiting on this basis was terminated. The following were entered during the period Ist April to the 15th August, 1945 : Seamen .. .. .. .. .. 116 Coder .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Stokers .. .. .. .. 50 E.R.A.'s .. .. .. .. .. 15 Shipwrights .. .. .. .. .. 1 Radio mechanics .. .. .. 29 Motor mechanics .. .. .. .. 9 Writers .. .. .. .. .. 2 Stores assistants .. .. .. .. 2 Sick-berth attendants .. .. .. .. 4 Stewards .. .. .. .. .. 3 Naval airmen, 2nd class .. .. .. .. 62 294 3. In July, 1945, with the realization that many " war only " personnel had served for long periods, the Naval Board instituted a scheme for partial demobilization. Under this scheme officers and ratings were classified for discharge purposes and were granted either absolute or relative priority for release. Absolute priority was granted to personnel over forty-one years of age, to those with four or more children, and to those with strong compassionate grounds for release. The order of release of personnel not granted absolute priority was dependent upon length of service, marital status, and number of children. Release of those in this category proceeded in accordance with clearly defined rules, and their relative priority for demobilization was assessed by means of points, the officer and rating with the greatest number of points being afforded the highest relative priority. For purposes of demobilization, points were awarded on the following basis Points . (1) Marriage .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 (2) For each child in respect of whom allowances were payable .. 8 (3) For each month of fully mobilized overseas service .. .. 3 (4) For each month of fully mobilized home service .. .. 1 The scheme was4n operation for only a month prior to the unconditional surrender of Japan. As from the 15th August, 1945, partial demobilization merged into general demobilization and the points system was retained. The number of releases effected during the year appear under section XI.

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Class. Officers. Ratings. Total. R.N.Z.N.V.R. and R.N.Z.N.R. 1,652 ' 712 2,364 T. 124 and variant agreements .. 21 43 64 Hostilities only 5,809 5,809 1,673 6,564 8,237