NAVAL DEFENCE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1919, 29 November 1913, Page 8

NAVAL DEFENCE.

PKOPOSALS IN NEW BILL. Tho already much-discussed Naval Defence Bill was introduced into tho House of Represwitativis by Governor's Message yesterday afternoon, . , The, Bill proposes to give tho Governor power to raise such permanent naval forces as lio deems necessary, to- a|>posnt officers for the force, and to .ftp* point an officer to command the; whole or any portion of tlio force. Th.ciro aro rules submitted to invent tho profcrotioa of officers, tho general effect of' tliein' being that officers must not be promoted mitil tliev have, nasscd tlio prescribed examinations.- Tho forco is to bo raised by voluntary enlistment only, arid' tliir eiilistmei.it- shall be for such' period as is proscribed, provided that. in no easti shall tho prescribed Jtel'iod be less than two years. A ; person, under iiw ago of 21 years may "enlist for service in. tho naval force with ,tlio consent of .liis parent or guardian for . sticli period ...as ia prescribed, but 'l.mt_ period shall , not exceed the time .req.uired for. liijii.io attain tlio age of' 30 years., Peirsan's iii. any other part of the' British Diminitiiis may, subject to tho law in force, in that part, voluntarily, enlist., as members : of tho New jjealaud naval force's.. Qnjlischarge any member of the naval, forces' shall be .drafted to tho Royal New Zen-' land Naval Reserve, and . shall thereafter be- liable-for such period as msy bo prescribed for service ..only in .tiino' of war. ( . . The Governor wiav, for tlie- piirposejof naval service or training, take ally part, of the New Zealand Naval Forces on board any ship of Urn Kind's Navy, or of the navy of, any part of tho British Dominions, or in. any naval training establishment or .school in connection with : such navy. '• . . \'

At .ii-,'ti.iite ••tfJ}ai«'iMr li^'tw<Sdn, .> Grout 1 , Britain .'MI niMthefH'biihtrj' ' : hqs bceiY declared, or .is imminent, the New Zealand Naval Forces are to bo at tho disposal of Great Britain." ' - Under prescribed conditions transfers between the New Zeahuid Naval Forces and tho King's Naval: Forces or tho naval forces of other parts of tho Bri- ' tisli Dominions aro to be permitted. When any member of the'naval forces is killed on active service -or' dutyv or dies or becomes incapacitated from wounds or disease contracted en active service, provision is to bo made for his widow and family, or for himself, out of the' Consolidated Fund at rates prescribed. The Naval'Snhsidy Act by which New Zealand pays £100,(WO annually to the. British Navy js repealed, and, as tl«v Minister explained, tlio money is tti bn used liarily in the maintenance' of tiro | New Zealand Naval Force and Reserves,' mid the remainder will be paid over ti i tho Admiralty. ...