H—s

Naval Board and given effect to ; some are in the process of implementation ; others, depending on Admiralty co-operation, are still under investigation. This is indicative of the aim to obtain the best conditions possible for officers and men of the Royal New Zealand Navy. In this connection it may be stated that at the present time the formation of men's welfare committees is under active consideration. 2. During the period of this report 2,751 officers and ratings were released from the Royal New Zealand Navy ; continuous-service engagements, 149 ; " hostilities only " engagements, 1,957 ; Reserves, 571 ; personnel serving on T. 124 Agreements, 15 ; and loan personnel, 59. 3. The total strength of the Royal New Zealand Navy was, at 31st March, 1947 : Officers — Loan from Royal Navy .. .. .. 33 New Zealand .. .. .. .. 127 l6O Ratings— Loan from Royal Navy .. .. .. 161 New Zealand .. .. .. .. 1,325 1,486 1,646 4. The demobilization of Women's Royal New Zealand Naval Service personnel was completed towards the end of October, 1946. SECTION X.—ROYAL NEW ZEALAND NAVAL RESERVES The reconstitution of the Reserves in the post-war period received active consideration during the year under review, and steps have been taken to ensure that post-war peacetime training will commence in 1947 based on pre-war lines, plus all the additional requirements which have resulted from knowledge gained during the war. Royal New Zealand Naval Reserve 2. Post-war training of officers and men in this Reserve who carry out sea training only will recommence as soon as ships of the Royal New Zealand Navy are available to -accommodate Reserve personnel for the requisite periods of sea training. Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve 3. The re-establishment of the post-war active Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve is well under way. Before the war there were four Divisions—Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago. These four Divisions will recommence post-war training in 1947 in the headquarters they occupied in pre-war days. Officers and Instructors are being appointed in order to undertake the reconstruction necessary in rebuilding such an organization before recruiting can commence. It is hoped that a considerable number of officers and men who were pre-war members of the Permanent Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve will join up again, as their services will be invaluable in assisting with the training of new recruits, in view of their war time experience. It is intended that in the post-war period Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve officers and ratings will gain experience in seamanship, including minesweeping, gunnery, communications, radar, torpedo, and anti-submarine, while a small number will be trained in the supply and secretariat, sick-berth, electrical, and engine-room branches. Naturally, the experience gained in the war is being put to good use, and up-to-date weapons and other training equipment are being provided and installed at the four headquarters. In the first instance, the numbers to be entered will be based on the pre-war personnel strength of some 70 officers and 600 ratings. It is intended to increase this total number to some 120 officers and 840 ratings in due course. This increase will be spread equably over the four Divisions.

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