NAVAL INQUIRY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 220, 17 August 1939, Page 7

NAVAL INQUIRY

PREPARATION OF REPORT. * Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Aug. 10. The Government ’committee which has been inquiring into pay and allowances in the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy lias heard all the evidence it wished to take. The chairman (Mr R. E. Price, Conciliation Commissioner in Auckland) said the committee would compile its report to the Government, and hoped to present it to the Minister of Defence (Hon. ]*’. Jones) in the middle of next week. Mr Price said the committee had taken evidence from about 110 serving members of the Navy. They ranged in rank from lower deck ratings to warrant officers, and both New Zealand and Imperial men went before the committee. They included single and married ratings. No time was lost b.v the committee in taking the necessary evidence, upon which depends what action the Government will take to answer recent requests by New Zealand ratings for increases in pay. Appointed at the end of June, the committee began its work within a few days ami had made good progress when the departure on the Pacific islands cruise of the Lcander, which has more New Zealand ratings than any other ship, temporarily interrupted the hearing of evidence. The Lcander returned to port on Thursday, and the committee immediately continued the inquiry.