NAVAL FORCES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 July 1941, Page 5

NAVAL FORCES

NEW ZEALAND SHIPS & PERSONNEL

DETAILS OF WAR TIME

EXPANSION.

GIVEN BY THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) ' WELLINGTON, This Day.

The naval strength of New Zealand, and the achievements of the Dominion’s men and ships, were reviewed in detail by the Minister of Defence, 3lr Jones, in the House of Reprcscntafives last night. The Minister was briefly ent off the air by the. Speaker, Mr Barnard, but after a brief pause he resumed his speech, flic continuation of which was again broadcast. “The New Zealand naval forces now consist of the cruisers Leander and Achilles, the armed merchant cruiser Monowai, the Government vessel Matai. and three other New Zealand vessels, Gale, Rata and Muritai, which have been converted into minesweepers and constitute a mobile fast flotilla, together with six auxiliary minesweepers and a large number of motorlaunches for patrol duties,” the Minister said. “In addition to these, the three specially-designed minesweeping and anti-submarine vessels, which had been approved before the war to be built in Scotland as a training flotilla, are nearing completion, and before the end of the year will have arrived in New Zealand waters.” MINE-SWEEPING FLOTILLA. Mr Jones added that fiine steel minesweepers were being’ built in New Zealand. Two vessels had been taken up as danlayers to operate with the minesweepers, and there was being formed a flotilla of vessels to counter the menace of the magnetic mine, which would consist of two small ships and three composite steel and wood trawlers being built at Auckland and nearing completion. A number of other additions to the naval forces was planned. “Members are aware that H.M.S. Leander has distinguished herself in her operations in the Indian Ocean,” the Minister said. “She has also recently been in the Mediterranean for a short period. “I regret I cannot give particulars, but I can tell the House that the untiring efforts of the minesweepers have been most productive of results,” he added. He referred to the loss of H.M.S. Puriri, and said that the results had amply justified the decision to take up certain coastal vessels for naval purposes. Provision had also been made for the laying of defensive minefields. WAR CONFERENCES. • A very forward policy in all aspects of naval defence 'was being pursued, and the Government was in constant touch with the Governments of the United Kingdom and other parts of the Commonwealth about measures which would be necessary in the event of war extending to the Far East and the Pacific. For this purpose the Government’s principal naval adviser, Commodore W. E. Parry, C. 8., had, with’ the other chiefs of staff, paid a number of visits beyond New Zealand to attend conferences. These had produced the most encouraging results. New Zealand also had a naval liaison officer to represent her interests at Singapore, and another attached to the New Zealand supply mission in Washington. "There are now 349 officers and 3834 ratings serving in the New Zealand naval forces, both at home and overseas, against 82 and 1257 respectively before the war," he continued. “The total is 4183 against. 1339. These figures cover both New Zealand personnel and personnel on loan from the Royal Navy.”

NEW ZEALANDERS SERVING. There was an increased number of New Zealanders serving, he added; Officers totalled 282 and other ranks 3514. Of these 119 officers and 1559 men were overseas either in the Royal Navy or in H.M.S. Leander, which was operating under the Admiralty. Included in the total were 46 officers and 193 men of the mercantile marine who had been entered for service in H.M.S. Monowai and minesweepers. A total of 1884 reserve personnel, comprising 212 officers and 1672 ratings had been mobilised for service in New Zealand and overseas. Under different schemes, 65 probationary temporary sub-lieutenants had been entered for service with the Royal Navy, in addition to 194 ordinary seamen, 378 naval airmen second class and 80 technical and communication ratings. Very encouraging .reports had been received from naval authorities in Britain on the high standard of the New Zealanders. There had been an excellent response to naval recruiting, and 2402 candidates were waiting to be called for entry. Many more potential recruits of a high standard wefe waiting than could be taken at present. The Minister also discussed the establishment of H.M.S. Tamaki. He said some 600 men a year were being trained, the first draft having already left New Zealand. Very satisfactory reports had been received on H.M.S. Tamaki trainees. The Naval Board had this month interviewed the 1941 candidates for permanent service entries. and four had passed both medical and educational examinations. OIL FUEL & WORKSHOPS. Oil fuel was obtained under arrangements made by the Admiralty. Supplies to date had been satisfactory. The quantity used was now large, and to meet requirements and provide reserves additional tankage had been hired at Auckland, and a large new tank was approaching completion at Wellington. “We have one of the most up-to-date workshops south of the line,” the Minister added. He referred to the importance of defensively equipping merchant ships and repairing and refitting them, and to the amount of this work done in New' Zealand under the superintendence of the naval authorities. The Government had appointed a shipbuilding and repairs committee which functioned under the Minister of Supply and Munitions, and had represented on it the naval board and marine department, and controllers of supply, munitions and factories.