H—s

Sea Scouts and Rangeks 29. Assistance has been given where possible in the form of naval instruction and organized visits to ships. SECTION TI—CIVILIAN!STAFF 30. The effects of defence policy as far as naval commitments are concerned have now enabled a clearer picture of civilian staff requirements to be established. The staffing position has been under constant review and, with the collaboration of the Public Service Commission and detailed investigations by their Inspectors, considerable progress has been made in establishing permanent complements where requirements are definitely known. This has the effect of giving a more balanced organization and, in clarifying promotion prospects, improves the morale of the staff by removing the uncertainties which have existed# for some time past. 31. The general difficulty in maintaining suitably trained staff, both in the clerical and trades groups, continues as in other Departments and industries. Staffs in all groups have now reached the point where further losses result in a decrease in over-all efficiency. Deficiencies in certain branches have become. more apparent since the commissioning of the frigates. 32. Apprentices —During the year 21 apprentices were entered in the various trades ; two vacancies only were not filled, those of sailmaker and rigger. It is still found that, even though they now have the benefit of permanent staff status, a number of apprentices are lost to the Dockyard on completion of training owing to the attraction of higher wages outside. 33. Dockyard Workers' Wages Agreement.--The 1947-49 agreement expired on 31st March, 1949. Negotiations are proceeding with the unions representing the Dockyard workmen, and the Public Service Commission as the employing authority, for dealing' with the claims for a new agreement, which will presumably require to be ratified by the newly-appointed Government Services Tribunal. 34. Comparative figures of civilian staffs at Wellington and Auckland are shown in Appendix IV. SECTION VII—H.M.N.Z. DOCKYARD AND NAVAL BASE DOCKYARD WORK 35. Naval Vessels. —Work, varying from major refits to minor repairs, was carried out on all of H.M.N.Z. ships, launches, and miscellaneous craft. The arrival of four frigates in January, 1949, after their 14,000-mile passage from England caused a considerable increase in repair requirements. 36. Vessels Belonging to Other Government Departments.—Vessels refitted on behalf of other Government Departments included—- " Matai ", " Ikatere " : Marine Department, " Maui Pomare " : Island Territories Department, " Alpha " : State Forest Service, " Duchess," " Golden Hind," " Rehutai " : Works Department, and miscellaneous small craft for Civil Aviation, Army and Royal New Zealand Air Force. Work was also carried out on a French ship on behalf of the French Government. 37. General Work.—The usual routine maintenance of Dockyard buildings, installation, and plant was completed, together with the manufacture, inspection, and repair of various items of naval stores. 38. Work for Other Government Departments.—Side by side with the naval work, 440 jobs, valued at £57,559, were completed for other Government Departments. The largest item was the construction of two head towers for the Maraetai hydro-electric scheme.

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