NAVAL SERVICE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21211, 6 September 1940, Page 7

NAVAL SERVICE

NEW ZEALAND MEN DRAFT SENT IN MAY MANY IN MINE-SWEEPERS ! (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Thursday j A draft of officers and men who I left New Zealand in May last for j service in the Royal Navy was divided on arrival in England into three parties and sent to the Ports- : mouth, Devonport and Chatham depots in approximately equal proportions. The Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, who announced tonight that this information h3d been received from the High Com- ■ missioner for New Zealand in Lon- ! don, Mr W. J. Jordan, said arrange- j ments were made for friends and ! relatives to remain together if they j wished to serve in the same depot. “After training in the depots, the majority of the officers and men j were appointed to various ships and ; establishments, and a good many | are now serving in minesweeping trawlers, a number of officers hav- i ing bepn appointed in command of i these vessels,” said Mr Jones. “Mr Jordan has assured the Government

he is closely watching the welfare of the personnel and has made personal visits to three home ports with this object chiefly in view. Correspondence for officers and ratings should be addressed to the office of the High Commissioner for New Zealand, 415 The Strand, London, W.C.2, and will be forwarded without delay to them wherever they are serving.”