H—s

complementary force well suited to both advanced strategic and tactical training and to the elementary seagoing experience and instruction to new recruits and reservists. InterSquadron and inter-ship rivalry and competition enhance efficiency and morale. Valuable co-operation in these exercises was afforded by both the Royal New Zealand Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force. 12. Compulsory military service was introduced during the year. As naval requirements are comparatively small, it has been decided that the most economical and efficient method of conducting part-time training would be to use. the existing Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve organization. The initial fourteen weeks' fulltime training will be carried out in the training establishment " Tamaki." Further remarks on this subject are contained in Section IV--Reserves. 13. A link with the early days of the New Zealand Navy was lost in July, 1949, when the hulk of the old training cruiser '" Philomel " was towed out to sea and sunk. ' 14. A very successful Navy Week-end was held at Auckland from 20th to 22nd Januarv, 1950, with a view to encouraging recruiting and benefiting naval welfare funds.' Attendances totalled 12,614. It is hoped to repeat the week-end in future years. 15. An Admiralty Mission consisting of Rear Admiral (E) L. A. Taylor, C.8.E., and Mr. 'L. E. Hoggan, 0.8. E. (M., Eng.), M.1.E.E., visited New Zealand between April and June, 1949, at the invitation of the Government to investigate, the working of the Naval Dockyard, with particular reference, to management, labour, and repayment work. The Mission rendered a comprehensive report and tin great majority of their recommendations have been implemented. 16. On Ist April, 1949, the, Government took over the oil-fuel installation at Suva previously the property of the Admiralty. 17. A summary of the movements of the Squadron during the past year is attached as Appendix 11. Changes that have taken place in the composition of the Fleet apart from those mentioned above, are — (a) The trawler " Kiwi " was paid off into reserve, on 7th December, 1949. (b) It. has been decided to retain the, tug " Toia " in naval service. Consideration is being given to converting her from coal to oil fuel for use as an ocean-going tug. 18. The French warship a Francis Gamier " visited Auckland in September, 1949, and March, 1950. SECTION 111--PERSONNEL AND WELFARE 19. Comparative statements of naval personnel borne on the 31st March, 1949, and 31st March, 1950, are shown in Appendix 111. 20. The number of re-entries include 22 ex Royal New Zealand Navy ratings recruited in New Zealand and 291 ex Royal Navy ratings recruited in the United Kingdom. 21. Recruits. —The numbers of male candidates called for examination and rejected for various reasons in the past two years are shown below : 1949-50. 1948-49. Called for examination .. .. 416 768 Rejected— Medically unfit .. .. .. ..84 107 Dentally unfit .. .. .. ..9 38 Educationally unfit . . . . 78 177 Other reasons . . .. .. 81 121 Total 252 443 The numbers of recruits rejected on medical grounds still remains approximately 20 per cent, of the total applicants.

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