11 Naval Ratings At Timaru Refuse Duty

Northern Advocate, 9 April 1947, Page 4

11 Naval Ratings At Timaru Refuse Duty

/p A ) TIMARU, This Day. ELEVEN naval ratings left HMNZS Hautapu at Timaru yesteiday duty but rema i ne d on the wharf all day. Hautapu has its base at Timaru while engaged m scientific radar research work off the coast of Canteibuiy.

According t 6 one rating a number of men had applied for their discharge but this had been refused on the ground that they could not be replaced in the meantime. He said that 180 ratings had been discharged at the Devonport naval base because they went on strike. “It does not appear that our discharges were refused on valid grounds,” he added. “Although the new raxes of pay have been approved, the request for a welfare committee to safeguard the rights of lower deck ratings has not been granted,” said another. ’ “We were told that any grievance requiring redress would have to go through the ordinary channels. “We never got anywhere with that procedure in the past and there is no reason to believe that it will be efficacious in the future.”

the men that they had the option of boarding the _ ship and sailing fox Auckland or being classed as deserters. The men decided to be classed as deserters, one remarking: Do you think this is justice?” The men said they understood that disclipinary action would be taken if they reboarded the ship.

The .ship has a complement of 21 men.

After a telephone conversation with the authorities the commander told