AUSTRALIAN NAVALS’ PROTEST MEETING ALMOST A FIZZLE

Grey River Argus, 20 May 1947, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN NAVALS’ PROTEST MEETING ALMOST A FIZZLE

SYDNEY, May 19.

The police state that they heard nothing offensive during a meeting in the Domain attended by more than 200 ratings of the Royal Australian Navy. The meeting was poorly controlled. After an hour’s delay, only one man, who said he had been discharged from the Navy, spoke to the crowd.

Some ratings claimed that they had been told before going on leave that attendance at the Domain would render them liable to punishment. Others said that pay increases announced on Friday had satisfied many. The ships represented included the Australia, Shropshire, Quadrant, Arunta and Platypus. The sailors unanimously decided that the men should be able to seek redress for alleged injustices by officers, that they should have the same liquor privileges as officers, that they should have latitude in dress, that the food should be improved and that the regulations should be amended so that the penalties were in proportion to the offences.