Our Naval Force.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 77, 1 December 1913, Page 7

Our Naval Force.

THE GOVERNMENT POLICY. NUCLEUS OF LOCAL NAVY. The Naval Defence Bill, which was. read a first time in the House of Representatives on Friday, was characterised hy Sijf. Joseph Ward a? one of the most important Bills the country has had before it for many years. “The Governor may raise,” says clause 3, “Maintain and organise such permanent Naval Forces as re deems necessary.” This,is the first step over taken by this country towards the establishment of a New Zealand navy. The next clause states that the Governor may appoint and promote officers of the forces, and issue commissions to them, and may appoint an officer to command t’le, whole or any portion of the forces, and issue commissions to them, and may appoint an j officer to command the whole or any portion of- the forces. Yoluntar\ enlistment is the method by which the forces are to be Tailed and maintained. Persons in any other part of the British Dominions, it is proposed, may enlist, and members of the Naval Forces may be required to serve for training either within or beyond the limits of New Zealand. The Governor has power under the bill to place any part of the forces chi board any ship in the King’s Navy for''training. In Times bf Wat. In times of war, file action of the New Zealand men will be governed by the following clauses-:

“1. Whenever war nas been declared between Great Britain and any other country or countries, or whenever there is an outbreak of hostilities, between Great Britain and any other country or countries, the ships, ves-, sels, or boats acquired, under this Act for naval defence or for services auxiliary thereto and the New Zealand Naval Forces shall pass and remain under the control and be at the disposition of the Goverment of Groat j Britain until peace lias been proclaimed of until hostilities have terminated, and all officers and men of the New Zealand Naval Forces shall for the time being become part of the King’s Naval Forces and shall, be. subject to the laws, rules, and, regulations in force relating to officers and men of the King’s Navy. ,* ' “2. Whenever qwar between Great Britain and any ptuer country - or countries is imminent,- or when in the opinion of the Governor it is expedient in the interests of .G reat Britain so* to do, pr ~uppn thq, request, of the -Government of Geat Britain, the , Governor may by proclamation declare thjit fjbje S.bips, vessels, or boats: acquired: pjicleijjj fjiis AiqV if or I ,na val defence or for services auxiliary thereto and the Now Zealand Forces shall pass and remain under the control and be at t)ie,disposition of,the,Government, of Great Britain for such time as he fixes by H suoh proclamation, or for such extep,dpd,,tjme .as.Jie may fix by a flibsoqupnnt proclaim at ion oriproclaml-j all officers and memof thn : New Zealand Naval Forbes- shall dnr-: lag .the, -time or, extended time so fixed'! become,.part of-.,the .King’s, Naval Forces and shall be subject to the laws,”' rules, apd regulations in force'relating : to officers and , men ,of the King’s Navy.” -j,; rr ~ ■•/ I ,i f , ;i j,. V i'. ■'•' '■ r'; Transfer of Men and Ships. The bill also provides that the Governor shall have power to transfer either ships or men of the New Zealand Forces to the King’s Navy, or vice-versa, the arrangement to be carried out Under conditions drawn up by the Imperial and New Zealand Governments, Royal Nattal Reservo. In addition to the permanent Naval Forces, ite is proposed, to establish a New Zealand Royal Naval Reserve, consisting of men drafted thereto and of mbitAVho have sebv’od in the British Navy. When any member of the Naval Forces is killed while bn active service j provision is to be made for his widow | and family at the prescribed rates out of the Consolidated Fund.