FOR THE NAVY

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 73, 28 March 1933, Page 8

FOR THE NAVY

NEW ZEALAND BOYS

"FIRST-CLASS MATERIAL"

COMMANDEER VIEWS

"Yes, it is the finest material I have seen—it is first-class, and I ask for uone better." The speaker was Commander E. Lyou Berthon, officer in charge of the Devouport Naval Base, and his observation, which had general as well as1 particular application, was mado as, in tho sunny recreation ground, he watched the latest seamen recruits learn tho rudiments of kit drill (states the "Auckland Star 15). Commander Berthon is experienced in the moulding of raw material for service in tho NaVy. For. three years he was associated with the "Impregnable" training establishment in Britain, where 600 boys passed under his keen supervision, and it is his considered conclusion that young New Zealand provides' the finest type of naval • rpcruit he has yet encountered. "They are head and shoulders over others I have trained," ho.declared. EFFECTIVE MIXTURE.

During his service in the Dominion Commander Berthon has trained over 100 boys, and while admitting that some o£ -the units wero superior to others, he said that all definitely carried out, when transferred to, the cruisers of .the New Zeajand Division, the promise they had shown in their training on the Philomel.

"I could imagine nothing better in, naval.warfare," he observed, "than a destroyer manned by a combination .of Imperial and New Zealand ratings. One characteristic which above others has impressed ine is that, in an emergency or on. some other important oecasion, one never appeals to a New Zealahder without,, receiving 100 per cent, response, and even greater than 100 per cent, if that were possible. They are splendid in emergency—absolutely first-class when 'the call;is for the display of courage or determination." '■'.•-■■ ~ SEAMEN IN MAKING. Before him were 20 fine young Now Zealanders, clear of eye, alert of movement, and in the pink of physical condition. . '.' How old are you— —V was the question put to one of the boys. "Fifteen years and two months," replied the lad, standing smartly, to attention. ■ '•-. ' "The youngest," commented the commander; who added that the oldest of the boys was 16J years. The, boys are the new recruits for training as seamen for the Dunedin and Diomede, selected from 250 applications for the"vacancies, received from all over New Zealand. Before ■ going into uniform they were learning the correct way of laying out their kit— a brand-new supply from the ship's stores. A largo' chart, a model kit, a perfect instructor, and twenty willing boys made up the little scene. , ■SELECTION DIFFICTJLTIES. Commander Berthon admitted that the selection had presented extraordinary difficulties. The applications had been narrowed down, to .50, who had passed the education and medical tests, and these were interviewed by the selection board, consisting of three officers. Strangely; the ultimate selection represented 35 per cent. South Island and 65 per cent. North Island, which coincided with the actual distribution of population. After 12 months' training on the Philomel the boys would go to the two cruisers, which they would join for a' service period of 12 years. On a previous occasion there had been only 13 applications for 15 vacancies, but this was thought to be the result of the intervention of school holidays. Since then the date of entry had been altered. "This time there was no difficulty on that seore," added Commander Berthon, with a smile.: C ' VITAL SEA POWER. Invited to express an opinion on the presonce of a "■sea consciousness" in the Dominion, Commander Berthon said he had noticed that in the outlying portions of the Dominion, especially in the rural areas, the people displayed the keenest interest in, and a good .deal of knowledge of, the naval service they maintained. rThey were at\all- times definitely interested in what the ships did, and were very proud of the service maintained, as they had reason to be.----"I believe New Zeaianders," he added, "appreciate their dependence upon a clear sea communication with the United Kingdom, which is their main market. If that means of communication were severed New Zealand would cease to exist. It is natural, theref oi'e, that what you describe as 'sea consciousness' should be in marked evidence. Wo have noticed, too, the knowledge of seamanship possesed by some of the boys whoso homes are in the seaport towns, where yachting and boating is a popular pastime." i ;..,"•-.'.. . Incidentally, Commander Berthon returns to England some time this year. In concluding the interview this morning, he said he would go Home with the happiest recollections of his stay in New Zealand. "In my little way," he added, "I will be one of its'warmest advocates at Home." '