NAVAL DISCONTENT

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 47, 25 February 1937, Page 8

NAVAL DISCONTENT

ORIGIN ON SHORE

JERVIS BAY RESORT

AUSTRALIA'S SHIPS

(From "The Post's" Representative.) SYDNEY, February 13. Rumours of smouldering discontent in the Royal Australian Navy have been prevalent for some time, but these have been continually denied by the highest authorities. Despite these denials, there is good evidence to believe that there is discontent of a minor nature, but nothing to indicate ■ that there is mutinous intent by the ratings of the squadron, as alleged in some quarters.

; The chief cause of the ratings' com--1 plaint has been clearly defined. Every , summer the ships pay several visits to E Jervis Bay, about 120 miles south of . Sydney, and extensive manoeuvres are l- carried out on its broad waters. Jer- , vis Bay was formerly the site of tha - Naval College, but six or seven years - ago, as. a measure of economy during >■ the depression, the college was closed I down and the area, which is Federal > territory, became a popular holiday re- > sort. The cottages formerly, used by : officers and cadets are now rented to , holiday-makersj and the various other - larger buildings have been converted r into boarding-houses. The Naval Col- , lege had been equipped with a fine - swimming-pool, a large number of tennis courts, and a nine-hole golf course. Until this summer, the naval ratings had the use of these, on an equal foot- : ing with holiday-makers, but this sumi mer the Minister of the Interior, on > the representations of the boarding- . house proprietors, issued an edict that : these facilities were not to be used by : the ratings, for whom the one and only • hotel was also placed out of bounds ■ High naval officials tried to have these- ; bans removed, but were nut successful \ SOME DISGRUNTLED MEN. : The ratings' resentment against beir.j? [ denied sporting and hotel facilities dur- ; ing their liberty-hours was the origin ; of the present discontent, which has . been concentrated on the officer in , command of the fleet, Rear-Admiral , Lane-Poole. The men themselves give , emphatic denials to rumours that the [ Fleet will not sail for New Zealand at the end of March if Rear-Admiral Lane-Poole is still in command. No . such definite act of protest has been contemplated except by a few disgruntled ratings who are described by their fellows as "lunatics." Several orders in the last few months have'caused general discontent. Ratings allege that Rear-Admiral LanePoole created a bad impression when he first joined the squadron a few months ago. Since then, it is alleged, leave arrangements have not been as liberal or as equitable as they might have been,' and dress regulations have been enforced more rigidly than in the past. The idea that ratings should refuse duty because the rear-admiral commanding does not meet with their approval is scouted by the men, but obviously there is a number of disgruntled men in each ship. In the last few months there have been instances of minor sabotage which can be attributed to these few disgruntled men. Most of the men have no sympathy with this manner of expressing discontent. As one rating said: "The men who would do things like that should be in a lunatic asylum, not in the Navy.".. . ; REAR-ADMIRAL'S STATEMENT. Rear-Admiral Lane-Poole told the Press he was convinced that if thf men had a just grievance he would bP ! aware of it. "For three years I com- , manded the Royal Naval College at Jervis Bay," he said, "so that I have been associated with the Australian Navy for nearly four years. I should, therefore, be in a position to understand the personnel. lam very proud , of the efficiency and loyalty of the 7 Australian officers and men who serve j under me, and am certain that I should be the first to know if they have a legi- . timate grievance. The service pro- , vides adequate means by which grievances can be represented, and these ' are well known to all ratings. In recent months a number of men have ' made known their desire to leave the , Navy, but this is ascribed to a greater number of opportunities in civilian life * now that the depression has passed." c "Reports of dissatisfaction in the £ Navy have already been referred to I the Naval Board," said the Minister of * Defence (Sir Arch dale Parkhill). "They ! are inquiring into the rumours that are l being circulated, but the information £ I have received from the board is to c the effect that there is no foundation s for the rumours and statements sug- c gesting that dissatisfaction or trouble c

exists. The board's report states that statements alleging disaffection and discontent are based on flimsy and ir- l responsible authority. It is not claimed c that every individual member of the £ Navy is free from complaint, but that ° cannot be expected in any large body of men." • c