NEW ZEALAND NAVAL FORCES

Evening Star, Issue 23683, 17 September 1940, Page 11

NEW ZEALAND NAVAL FORCES

OFFICERS FOR LONG SERVICE APPLICATIONS INVITED [Special to the ‘ Sxiu.’j WELLINGTON, September 17. The Minister of Defence (Hon. F. Jones) recalled in a statement to-day the announcement he made on June 10 last inaugurating the scheme for the entry of young New Zealanders as officers in the executive, engineering, and Accountant branches of the New Zealand Naval Forces. Mr Jones recalled the fact that ho had announced that there would be two candidates required this year for each branch. “ It was not to be expected,” said Mr Jones, “that m the short time between the announcetnent and the date when applications had to be sent in, there would be very many candidates who would have been in a position to take the examination, as the syllabus is a stiff one, and undoubtedly requires special preparation. “ When the applications were received it was found that there were very few qualified for consideration, and in the result no candidate was able to satisfy the examiners and the Interview Board that he. attained the standard required for acceptance as cadet or cadet (E), and only one candidate was accepted for probationary paymaster sub-lieutenant. “It has therefore been decided,” said the Minister, “to accept further applications for this year’s entry, which must reach the Naval Secretary, Navy Office, Wellington, by September 30.” tHE CONDITIONS. “Successful candidates will be-en-tered as cadets, cadets (E), and probationary paymaster sub-lieutenants, according to the branch chosen. Candidates tor entry as cadets must bo between the ages of 17 and 18 years 8 months; for entry as cadets (E) between the ages of 17 and 19 years; and for entry as probationary paymaster sub-lieutenants between the ages of 19 and 24 years; in all cases on December 31 next. “Candidates must be British subjects of pure European descent, and the sons of persons who are British subjects at time of entry. They must be unmarried. Candidates for entry as cadet or cadet (E) must have passed the University entrance examination of New Zealand or the school certificate examination, and, further,- must have studied at a higher standard, especially in mathematics and science. They will be required to appear before an interview board, pass a medical* examination, and undergo an educational examination. ,

“ In addition, candidates from the civilian apprentices at the naval dockyard at Devonport, Auckland, will be eligible for consideration for entry as cadets (E), but will not have to undergo the entrance, examination. “ Candidates for probationary paymaster sub-lieutenant will bo required to appear before an interview board, pass a medical examination, and undergo an educational examination unless they hold the degree of bachelor of laws or bachelor of commerce, or have passed tho accountants’ professional examination.

“ Cadets may rise to the ranks of commander and captain, and command His Majesty’s ships of the New Zealand Naval Forces. Cadets (E) may rise to the rank of commander (E) and serve as engineer officers of His Majesty's ships, and to captain (E), and hold high administrative posts. “ Probationary paymaster sub-lieu-tenants may rise to the ranks of pay-master-commander and paymaster-cap-tain, and hold high administrative posts. (It may not be generally realised that officers of this branch deal with a wide variety of administrative duties,- including not only pay, but stores and victuallingf and secretarial,_ staff, and personnel duties.)_ “ All officers on entry will be sent to England for training with the Royal Navy; executive cadets for about three years, two of which, preceded by a term at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, they will spend with the seagoing fleets. During this period they will °be promoted successively to midshipman, and acting sub-lieutenant cadets (E) for about four years, during which they will become midshipmen (E) and acting sub-lieutenant (E); probationary paymaster sub-lieuten-ants for sis months. SPECIALISATION COURSES. “ Executive officers, during their time in the rank of lieutenant, will be eligible for selection to proceed to England to undergo courses for specialisation in gunnery, torpedo, navigation, etc., and officers of all branches will be eligible for consideration to undergo higher courses of instruction in England. In addition, all officers will bo liable to bo exchanged with officers or the Imperial Navy, so that the New Zealand officers can be kept in touch with the latest naval developments. “ The pay of a cadet is 5s a day , risim* to 11s for sub-lieutenants, and to from 16s 6d to 22s for lieutenants, then by a gradually ascending scale to commanders (£1 18s to £2 13s 6d) and captains (£2 18s to £3 13s). Cadets (E) start at os a day, but receive slightly higher rates up to and including the rank of commander (E) ; then as to ,executive captains. “ Probationary paymaster sub-lieu-' tenants commence at 9s a day, rise to 11s, and to from 16s 6d to 22s for paymaster lieutenants, then by a gradually ascending scale to paymaster commanders (£1 18s to £2 12s 6d) and paymaster captains (£2 13s to £3 8s). “ In addition, all officers earn *deferred pay ranging from 2s a day for sub-lieutenants to 9s Gd a day for captains, which accumulates at compound interest, and is payable on retirement or resignation after the age of 40, invaliding out of the service, or on death. “ Marriage allowance and children’s allowances are payable after the age of 25, at the dailv rates of 4s 6d, plus 2s for the first ami Is for each subsequent child. . “ Passages to England and return are paid bv the Government,” concluded Mr Jones. “ Some slight financial assistance must he given by the parents of cadets, but sub-lieutenants are able to live on their pay. There are no tuition fees for the training given. Parents must provide the initial outfit, towards which a liberal grant is made, and oadets and cadets (E) receive a further grant for the purchase of uniform on reaching the rank of sub-lieutenant.” F”ll narticnlars and regulations mav he obtained -'nplication to the Naval Secretary, Wellington.