THE BRITISH FLEET.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 April 1924, Page 4

THE BRITISH FLEET.

ADMIRAL INTERVIEWED. MATTERS OF NAVAL POLICY. WELLINGTON, April 24. Tn the course of a brief interview with Pressmen aboard 11.M.5. Hood this evening Vice-Admiral Sir Frederick Field hail a few interesting remarks to make.

He, and the majority of his ships’ companies, he said, were paying their first visit to ;these waters. He regretted that they had not been able to start earlier so that the men might have seen moro of such interesting lands as they had seen in these southern seas. The Admiral said that the warmth of the welcomes received in Australia and the enthusiasm of the people were beyond anything he could have dreamt of. Ills'companies were so inundated with entertainment, indeed, that he almost regretted the resultant curtailment of opportunities to study the country outside the big cities. He had been particularly struck by the fact that, when passing isolated points removed fdom the large centres bf population, they could see hundreds of people lining tho shores. No doubt they came to see the ships go by, but lie thought they were impelled to do so by something deeper than mere curiosity.

Touching matters of naval policy the Admiral said he could not enter dceflly into that subject. It was natural that when a. people were paying for something they should want sometimes to sec what they paid for, but small local navies would be more costly and less satisfactory than one main navy, in which the best training was posihle, and the greatest efficiency attainable. New Zealand would do belter by subscribing to the maintenance of an Empire fleet than by trying to establish a small, independent squadron. The ships serving in these waters, and the crews aboard them, should be interchangeable so that New Zealanders could have an opportunity of serving abroad, seeing the world, and having such training as could only lie obtained during the manoeuvres of, say. the Atlantic Fleet. There was every opportunity for New Zealanders to serve in the Navy, and no reason wliv they should not attain the highest positions. Tn conclusion, replying to a question as to whether he had any opinion on the* subject of establishing a naval base at Auckland, the Admiral said that Auckland already had adequate repair facilities for the purposes of the light cruiser squaklron. What was wanted, however, was a plentiful oil supply as ships without fuel would be useless. By maintaining repair shops and building i*p oil reserves the country could perform excellent service for the Navy, aiul it would be much cheaper than building a new base. CENTRE OF ATTRACTION. THOUSANDS OF VISITORS. WELLINGTON, April 25. To-day being Anzae Day, the officers and men of the Hood did little beyond taking part in the religious and other ceremonies in connection with the day. The now Hi pi ten Wharf, where the mammoth Hood and Repulse arc berthed. was thronged with spectators all tho morning. In the afternoon both vessels were thrown open for inspection, and thousands of visitors were shown over them. The men aboard were very courteous, and evidently take a pleasurable pride in their work.

On the Repulse, which won many valuable prizes at the annual competition for the First Battle Squadron, including the silver clock, these trophies were proudly displayed. Arranginents have boon made for thousands of school children to visit the vessel, and it is said that even the country children will not he disappointed, leaving people to guess how il will he accomplished. OFFICI A I. 1 >R OG R A AIME. WELLINGTON, April 25. The official programme on which tho officers and men of the visiting vessels participated were:—Services at tho temporary -Cenotaph and public schools memorial; services at the Town Hall and the Opera House for next of kin. and ft sacred concert at tho Town Hall. On Saturday observation tramcars to view the city will provide aiifommodation for 2CO men, and an Association football match, Fleet v. Wellington will he played.

The Admiral, captains and officers have been invited to be. the guests of tho Rugby Union at Athletic Park and to the Orphans’ Chib korero at the Town ITall. A race meeting will be held at Trentham. The Association match on Saturday will bo against a AVelington team. The match fixed for May 3 was to be against a New Zealand team, but owing to the railway strike, it is doubtful if a New Zealand team can be assembled. Tbc situation will probably be dealt with at a meeting of the New Zealand council. If it should be impossible to get a representative team, the second game will also he against a Wellington