PRESS SENSATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23418, 7 August 1939, Page 9

PRESS SENSATION

"MUTINY" ON CRUISER RIG FOR SHORE LEAVE H.M.A.S. PERTH AT NEW YORK (Received August 6, 9.50 p.m.) ' NEW YORK, Aug. 6 An incident aboard H.M.A.S. Perth has been magnified by the popular press to such an extent that the Sunday News to-day carries bold headings: "Aussies Mutiny—Officers Too British." The true facts are that when the cruiser arrived, although blue uniforms are permitted in Australia, the men were ordered to wear white for sjiore leave. The men objected because the white rig soils quickly and would be i" ' i i

hard to wash, as there is no space on the cruiser's decks to hang clothes out to dry and having uniforms laundered ashore is declared to be too expensive. The men's objections were conveyed through the commander to Captain H. B. Farncomb, who agreed that the order should be changed and the men permitted to wear blue uniforms. However, the newspapers refer to "a delegation waiting on the captain" and, according to the Sunday News, the incident was precipitated by the men's objections to excessive drilling, poor food and the officers' "martinet stuff." An unnamed sailor is quoted as saying: "Our hofficers are being too blinky Limey. They are trying to enforce the kind of discipline they do in British ships. They seem to forget we are Australians."