GRIEVANCES IN NAVY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19247, 12 February 1937, Page 5

GRIEVANCES IN NAVY

AUSTRALIAN RATINGS

FULL INQUIRY PROMISED

ACTS OF SABOTAGE

(.Klec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) SYDNEY, Feb. 11. A full inquiry into the grievances of the ratings of the Australian navy is now going on, declared the 'Minister of Defence, Sir Archibald Parkhill, to-day. He added that he was not prepared to admit there was serious disaffection.

Some men complain that in addition to the withdrawal of many privileges, the penalties for minor breaches Oi discipline are out of all proportion to their seriousness. There is also discontent regarding the dress regulations. TROUBLE IN CRUISER Acts of sabotage since January I. include throwing a cable jack, chainhooks, hatchpins and branchpipes over the side of the cruiser Australia, cutting the gun circuit wires, cutting telephone cables to the engine, boild and dynamo rooms, and spraying acid on the gun-house of the B turret. Wilful destruction of stores occurred as far back as August.

A seaman aboard the cruiser Australia was convicted and sentenced to Si) days' detention for throwing a cable jack overboard. Further acts or sabotage have been discovered during the past two days, chiefly by cutting of boats' falls.

Some ratings stated to-day that they will be loyal to the service. They may continue to show their displeasure ai what are regarded as irksome regulations, but will cause no serious interference with the plans for the fortu coming cruise to Tasmania and New Zealand.