Urgent Inquiry Justified

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 110, 12 May 1939, Page 8

Urgent Inquiry Justified

CONDITIONS ON BOARD SURVEY SHIP ENDEAVOUR United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. LONDON, May 10. opeajting m the House of Commons, Mr Geoffrey Shakespeare, Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, replytag to further questions concerning the survey ship H.M.S. Endeavour, which is at present engaged on work in New Zealand waters, said that 32 of the 134 members of the ship’s complement had been punished by warrant. It was anticipated that the present ship’s company would leave New Zealand In September. The circumstances, said Mr Shakespeare, justified a most urgent inquiry The commodore had been asked to investigate the allegations of harsh conditions of service. Conditions aboard the Endeavour have been the subject of several questions in Parliament in recent weeks owing to the abnormal number of desertions. The London newspaper Remolds’ News last Sunday declared that the Endeavour had the reputation of being the Navy’s "hell ship." Fifteen seamen had deserted in 18 months, 11 had broken out of the ship, and 128 had overstayed their leave. Ratings wrote home complaining of the “harass and drive” routine on board. The parents of the men were greatlv concerned.