ENDEAVOUR'S RATINGS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23811, 18 May 1939, Page 11

ENDEAVOUR'S RATINGS

ALLEGED DISCONTENT QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT (Independent Cable Service) LONDON, May 16. Searching questions with regard to H.M.S. Endeavour will be asked in the House of Commons on May 18. Information will be demanded with regard to the nature of the inquiry, the nature of the safeguards for the ratings giving evidence, what action will be taken to remedy the unsatisfactory state of affairs for two years, whether quarterly returns of punishments were received by the Admiralty, why the large number of warrant offences was not discovered long ago, the steps taken to remove the cause, and how many wives and dependents were informed that their allowances had been stopped because of desertions. ADMIRALTY TO ASK FOR REPORT (From Our Own Correspondent) LONDON, Apl. 27. A report on the conditions in H.M.S. Endeavour is to be requested by the Admiralty. This information was given to Mr H, J. Parker, a Labour M.P., by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, Mr Geoffrey Shakespeare, in reply to a question In the House of Commons. Mr Parker asked how many men had deserted from H.M.S. Endeavour since she was last commissioned: whether he was aware that there was considerable discontent at the treatment of the lower ratings aboard, and whether he would make an inquiry into its cause. Mr Shakespeare, in reply, said: “Since H.M.S. Endeavour was commissioned for service on the New Zealand station more than two years ago the Admiralty have received Information of 15 desertions. No complaint has reached the Admiralty as to the conditions of service in this ship, but in view of the hon. member’s allegations I am arranging for a report to be obtained.” . The Endeavour, a surveying ship of 1280 tons, arrived at Auckland for survey service on the New Zealand station in June, 1937, and is expected to remain there for at least five years. She carries a complement of 139, and her commander is Captain A. G. N, Wyatt. Mr Parker is reported to have said that he had received several complaints from the parents of ratings on board the Endeavour. One man, he said, wrote; “We shall not see Auckland for two months. 1 don’t know if the ship’s company will stand it.” _____