Jun, Jul, Aug 1962 - Navy League of Australia

The most desirable state ofaffairs is when ;t rhythm oiphysical and mental routine canbe established, nevertheless, theroutine must achieve the aim.This is a time of change, andthis establishment cannot expectto escape its disadvantages if theadvantages ol new and bettermethods are to be obtained.ChooseyourCruiseThis body of young men, andit 1 may say so, they are not atall a bad-looking lot, are thefirst proditt i of the particularsystem which is now in vogue.They will go to sea for 12months as Midshipmen, and willspend 12 months at sea in thewardrooms ol the Fleet in orderto enable them to gain practical23-DAY TAHITIAN CRUISE by ORION'. 24.000 torn.W From Syd««y: 24tb Aa«ast. To Auckland, off Raro tonga, Papeete (Tahiti), andSuva (Fiji). Fares from: Cabin Class tilt.I-DAT SEPTEMBER CRUISE by ORSOVA*. 21.000 (MI.Frorw Sydney 2ftfc 5eptemb«r. To Ncumea and Haytnan Island. Fares from:• First Class CM: Toarisl Class CM.15-DAY SPRING CRUISE by OHONSAV, 21.000 toM.+ •rasa Sydaay: 7H» October. To Hayman Island via Barrier Reef. Noumea.^ Suva and Auckland; passing Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands. Fares from:First Class C1M; Tourist Class tUS.n DAY CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR CRUISE by ORIANA'. 42,000 taavFrom 5ydn«y: 21tt DKimb*r. To Suva, overnight anchorage oil Great Barrier• Island, (hence Auckland. Pkton and Hobart. Fares from: First Class 1160;Toarisl Class till.12-DAY CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR CRUISE by ORION'. 24.000 to,.,.From Syd»*y: Hr4 Dtctmbir. To New Zealand, visiting Port Chalmers.• Lyitelton, Pkrton. cruising in Pelorus Sound, overnight anchorage at TennysonInlet. Fares from: Cabin Class 1112; Toarisl Class £88.U-DAY JANUARY CRUISE by 'ORONSAY'. 20,000 taas.117 Fraai Syawwy: 14th January. Visiting Bay of Islands, Auckland, Hobart andMelbourne. Fares from: First Class £124; Toarlst Class »1.1S-DAY EASTER CRUISE by 'SYRAYHMORI', 23.000 ton,."W ftvm Syshsay: lltb April. Visiting Nuku'alofa, thence Suva and Noumea.Fares from fltt (aa* Clan oaty).PtO-ORIENTConsult any Authorised Travel Agency.LINESexperience ami to get the feciof the men and material whichlater, and alter further instruclion,they will be required tocommand. They are at a veryinteresting stage in their Navallives. They are, as it were, atthe bridal stage, about to becomewedded to the Service, andtheir state recalls to my minda letter which was written to mygreat-gicat-grandmothcr by theBishop oi London in 17" ( J onthe announcement of her engagementto be married, in which,in expressing his felicitations, hesaid thai he could no reasonwhy she should not approach thisalliance with courage and fortitudeand, he hoped, with satisactionand solace.The good Bishop no doubthad his reasons lor choosingthese particular words. 1 do notknow his reasons — 1 never metmy great-great-grandfather, butto my mind they are moreappropriate to the situation ofthese young men than that olmy great-great-grandmother. Ifthey arc. indeed, to be the leadersof the Navy, they must bepossessed of the attributes ofcourage and fortitude, and 1 amsure that we all wish themsolace and satisfaction in theircareers. I use the simile of beingat the bridal stage because iti. certain that on them dependsnot only the future happiness ofthe Service but its very continuityof existence. For the Navy,and if 1 may presume to say soin the presence of the Chief ofthe General Staff and the Chiefol the Air Staff, like the otherarmed Services, depends preciselyon the brains, on the professionalskill and on the integrityof its Officers.This is a fact about whichthere can be no argument, andif the Navy does not attract toitself the right people for itsOfficers and does not teach themthe things necessary to their profession,and if they in turn, donot absorb the teaching, then, the Navy has no future. 1 amTHI NAVYable to inform you that thestandard ol the men on thelower deck is as good as 1 haveever known it ant!, furthermore,in in\ opinion, is improving.Better men need and deserveand wilt demand better Officersso that our Officers need to bevery good indeed, and these arethe sort ol standards to which\e ami expect that such aprospect does not discourage\ou. Work never hurl anybody,but I hasten (t) assure you thatthere is ample lun associatedwith Naval lile. lake advantageof it. Plav games. Play them lorlun, that's their real purpose,but learn to play them well.because (hey will help you inyour relations with your men —the) will keep you lit. and the)provide a means whereby youwill meet and gel to know menand women oi all nations. Thislast aspect is very important.Your profession demands thaiyou study men — make yourstudy wide — don't just studyNaval men, but spread your considerationto all men, whereveryou meet them. Don't expectUM> much of them; rememberthe caution — you should notexpect to find in Petty Officersattributes only rarely discoveredin Admirals. If you don't expect100 much, you will never be disappointed.On the whole theyare nice creatures, almost as fascinatingand almost as incalcuableas women— another subjectand one in which you willut> doubt be interested, but onewhich is best left to postgraduatestudy.Vice Admiral W. H. Harrington, C.B., C.B.I-:.. D.S.O., Chief of Naval Staff chats with Midshipman W M.Drysdale at the graduation ceremony. Midshipman Orysdale is the son of Lieutenant CommanderDrysdale, K.A.N. (Retd.).AUGUST, 1962