RETURN TO PORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20982, 19 September 1931, Page 11

RETURN TO PORTS.

inquiry into complaints, WRONG ACTION TAKEN. general civil opinion. By Telecraph—-Prc 8 s Association -Copyright. " . WIrC,CSS - RUGBY. Sept. 17. uho ships of (he Atlantic Fleet sailed from Invergorden shortly before midnight for their home ports without a hitch. They will arrive at Portland. Dcvonport and Chatham on Saturday and Sunday. Prior to their sailing (he ratings had ieen notified that the representations made regarding the suggested hardships entailed by the cuts in pay were undergoing personal investigation by the Com-mander-in-Chief and representatives of the Admiralty. The Government had authorised the Board of Admiralty to make proposals for alleviating hardship where it. was found to occur as soon as the facts had been ascertained. The men expressed indignation at the suggestions made in some quarters that their representations have a political character. Ci\ilian opinion ashore, while sympathising with those naval men on whom the burden of the national economy cuts has borne with particular heaviness, and while expressing undiminished affection and admiration for the Navy, is critical of the manner employed in drawing attention to the grievances. The Daily Mail makes this typical comment: "The naval ratings concerned may have a real grievance. If that proves to be the case everyone will want to see it repaired. .But the men of the Atlantic Fleet have chosen the wrong means to draw attention to it. They cannot have paused to think of the effect of their action upon foreign nations, at a time when the welfare of the country mainly depends upon keeping up British credit abroad. "We who know the British bluejackets aro in no danger of doubting them. Foreigners cannot be expected to draw our fino distinctions." CALLED TO LONDON. ADMIRALS AT HOME PORTS. MEN TO BE GIVEN LEAVE. LONDON, Sept. 17. It is understood that the Commanders-in-Chief at the home ports, Admiral Sir A. K. Waistell (Portsmouth), Admiral Sir Hubert Brand (Dcvonport) and Admiral Sir R. W. Tyrwhitt (The Nore) have been summoned to the Admiralty to discuss the plan for holding an inquiry into the giievances of the men regarding the cuts in pay. Week-end leave will be granted to the men of th.j Atlantic Fleet on their arrival at Portsmouth. EXAGGERATED REPORTS NEWSPAPER IN BERLIN. SUSPENSION BY GOVERNMENT. (Received September IP. 5.5 p.m.) BERLIN, Sept. 17. The Government has suspended the Socialist. journal Rote Fahne for publishing the Communist Party's telegram inviting the British naval men to wage a political class war, and also for publishing exaggerated reports of the trouble in the British Navv.