AUSTRALIAN NAVY

Evening Star, Issue 22571, 12 February 1937, Page 9

AUSTRALIAN NAVY

GRIEVANCES OF RATINGS FULL INQUIRY BEING HELD Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, February 11. A full inquiry into the grievances of the ratings in the Australian- Navy is now going on, declares the Defence Minister, who adds that he was not prepared to admit that there was serious disaffection. Some men complain that, in addition to the withdrawal of many privileges, penalties for minor breaches of discipline are out of all _ proportion to their seriousness. There is also discontent regarding the dress regulations. Acts of sabotage since January 17 include throwing a cable jack, chain hooks, hateh pins, and branch pipes over the side of the cruiser Australia, cutting gun circuit wires, cutting telephone cables to the engine, boiler, and dynamo rooms, and spraying acid on the gunhouse of the turret. Wilful destruction of stores occurred as far back as August. Some ratings stated to-day that they will be loyal to the service. They may continue to show their displeasure at what are regarded as irksome regulations, but will cause no serious interference with the plans for the forthcoming cruise of Tasmania and New Zealand. SEAMAN CONVICTED OF SABOTAGE. SYDNEY, February 11. (Received February 12, at 8 a.m.) A seaman aboard the Australia was convicted and sentenced to 89 days detention for throwing a cable jack overboard. Further acts of sabotage have been discovered in the past two days, chiefly the cutting of “ boats’ falls.”