SAILORS AND WIVES

Southland Times, Issue 22750, 28 November 1935, Page 14

SAILORS AND WIVES

HELP FROM THE ADMIRALTY.

The marriage difficulties of the sailor are to be dealt with by organizations set up by the British Admiralty. Fleet Orders announced recently that a Welfare and Marriage Allowance ■ Section is to be established at the naval barracks at Portsmouth, Devonport, and Chatham. These sections will put on an official basis the valuable work already being done by local unofficial organizations supported by Depot Aid Funds. It is hoped that even greater assistance can be given to ratings, whereever they may be serving, or to their wives and families, in any domestic troubles that may arise. Under the new arrangements commanding officers will institute without delay any inquiries desired for the well-being of men’s families. Comman-ders-in-Chief have been empowered to decide upon the action to be taken in certain matters connected with the payment of marriage allowances which hitherto have been dealt with only at the Admiralty. Wherever possible, domestic difficulties will be dealt with by officers after an investigation into the circumstances. It is pointed out that under these arrangements any requests or- inquiries from serving ratings should henceforth be made through the commanding officer. All men are advised to inform their wives or dependents that in future, if they require any information or advice regarding marriage allowance or allotments, they should communicate with the Commodore of the depot and not the Admiralty.