COMFORTS FOR SAILORS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22779, 13 July 1937, Page 6

COMFORTS FOR SAILORS

LOWER DECK REQUESTS ADMIRALTY AND DISHCLOTHS Interesting sidelights 011 the domestic life of .the Navy are thrown b.y a recent Admiralty Fleet Order, states Mr. Hector By water in the Daily Telegraph. The order sets forth about 220 requests tendered by the lower deck, together with the Admiralty's comments and decisions on them. ' It is disclosed, for example, that coloured tablecloths are reserved exclusively for the use of chief petty officers, and a plea that this privilege be extended to petty officers' arid broadside —seamen's —messes is rejected. However, petty officers are to share with chief petty officers the luxury of electric toasters and cushion covers. Housewives will shudder sympathetically when'they learn that a request that separate containers for tea and sugar bo provided was not approved. My Lords of the Admiralty, however, have relented "to the extent of promising that "the possibility of fitting a lid to the tea portion of the canisters to reduce the risk of mixing will be investigated." The great dishcloth controversy still rages fiercely. To the lower-deck's request that'"messes should be allowed two dishcloths for drying tip mess gear," my' Lords curtly reply that "the present allowance of three for 10 men is considered adequate." Jiut again the pill is sugared, for "consideration will oe given to the desirability of substituting a better material" lor the dishcloths. A point on which my Lords remain adamant concerns butter dishes, lo the request "that the present butter dish and cover be replaced by one with a lid fitting over the dish instead of in," they retort that the present pattern is considered satisfactory, and will not be altered. So that is 'that. Nor are the men to get the two knives and forks at each meal for which a request was made. "Not approved," is the answer. "It is not considered that there- is any need for two forks and two knives per man."