Empire Organized; Reserve Of Trained Personnel London, Dec. 4.
Arrangements are far advanced for the building of a chain of Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve establishments throughout the Empire, writes the Naval Correspondent of the "Sunday Times." The step, he adds, marks the beginning of a ce-ordinated effort on the part of the Colonies to bear their part of the naval defence of the Empire and its trade routes.
After recognizing that the Dominions have long hàd Naval Volunteer Reserve divisions, the writer points out that the first Colony to follow this lead was the Straits Settlements.
Recently R.N.V.R. divisions were established at Hongkong and Kenya, and "now steps are being taken for the establishment of similar organizations in Ceylon, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Nigeria and the Cold Coast." Preliminary legislation, the corre: pondent proceeds, has already been passed by the Colonial authorities concerned, and final legislation required to bring the divi us into being is expected shortly. The. establishment of a division of the R.N.V.R. at Malta is also "under urgent consideration."
Increase in Small Craft The writer, discussing the development of the Straits Settlements division, says that there is now a call for an increase in the number of permanent naval instructors.
Simultaneously with. R.N.V.R. developments, there will be a dri by the Royal Navy to effect a large increase in the number of craft available for auxiliary patrol duties in time of war.
As more become available, some— particularly small mine-sweepers and trawlers fitted for mine-sweeping and submarine hunting—will be placed at the disposal of new reserve units. "Thus," the correspondent adds, reserve not only of personnel but al of ships will be built up at all strate gie centres of the Empire,"—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.