Canadian Navy To “Play Down” Some British Methods

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23092, 3 November 1949, Page 5

Canadian Navy To “Play Down” Some British Methods

(N.Z.P.A.—Reuter— Copyright.) (10 a.m.) OTTAWA, Nov. 2. A civilian commission appointed to investigate incidents aboard three Canadian warships early this year yesterday presented a report recommending that the Canadian Navy be “Oanadianisecl,” and that certain _ Koval Navy methods and traditions be played down. "Technical Mutinies" The commission said there was no doubt that the incidents investigated were technically mutinies and recommended that any such outbursts be dealt with severely in future. The report said, however, there was some justification for some complaints of the mutineers and recommended a number of changes in training discipline. It recommended the playing down of “Nelson tradition" and the building up of the Canadian Navy’s own traditions based on its record in the last war. The incidents investigated involved refusal to carry out orders on the part of members of crews of the aircraftcarrier Magnificent while cruising in the Caribbean, the destroyer Atabasca while off the'west coast of Mexico and the destroyer Crescent while in Chinese waters.

The commission said that many Canadian officers had received their early training with the Royal Navy and did not in all cases appreciate that Canadian seamen presented a different problem from the Royal Navy seamen. “Artificial Superiority”

The commission said that Canadian officers training with the Royal Navy had superimposed on them a type of life and style of leadership not only foreign to themselves but to the men they commanded. There was no form of artificial superiority which Canadians resented more than a variety imported from another land. The commission recommended that Canadian sailors wear some insignia identifying them as Canadian. “This desire is the natural outcome of pride in their identity as Canadian sailors and of strong resentment against a recurrence of international incidents in which they were insulted by ignorant citizens or servicemen belonging to other peoples who seem to rejoice in jeering at .those whom they believe to be British.”

The commission said it hoped all that was good in the British Navy’s traditions would remain with the Canadian Navy and only what was inefficient and inconsistent with their national need, dignity and special conditions would disappear. Practical Experience

The commission recommended that the training of young Canadian naval officers at Canadian service colleges be followed by practical experience in Canadian training ships with young men of the type they would later be called on to lead.

“If Canadian ships are not available immediately, partial diversion to the United States Navy ships as well as to Royal Navy ships should be considered,” the report added. Mr. Claxton, Minister of National Defence. said today there would be no disciplinary action taken as a result of the report either against the officers or men involved in the incidents. He added, howevei', that any such incidents in future would be dealt with in strict accordance with navy law.