FACILITIES FOR NAVY

Press, Volume C, Issue 29515, 17 May 1961, Page 17

FACILITIES FOR NAVY

“Insufficient Finance”

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, May 16. The day could come when lack of shore facilities could prevent ships of the New Zealand Navy sailing operationally, said Commodore J. O’C. Ross, naval officer in charge, Auckland, tonight He said that insufficient finance made shore support unable to keep pace with the seagoing side, It was a matter of “grave concern,” he told the annual meeting of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Navy League. “The naval dockyard is handicapped considerably as more and more complex ships come into service and there is not the finance to enable the shore facilities to keep pace with these ships,” he said. “The day could well come when we will have to tell the Government that lack of facilities is preventing us sailing our ships operationally.” The lack of finance was also evident in the standard of accommodation available for the young sailors from H.M.N.Z.S. Philomel Tamaki and Irirangi while on shore. “The standard is lower than I believe the young New Zealander should have,” said Commodore Ross. He also criticised delays in obtaining replacements for naval vessels. “It is obvious that these are sadly overdue,” he said. “Yet we have not seen any results yet.”