LUCIA MEN DISCONTENTED

Taranaki Daily News, 30 January 1931, Page 7

LUCIA MEN DISCONTENTED

INCAPACITY OF OFFICERS ADMIRALTY BOARD DECISION APPOINTMENTS TO CEASE COURT SENTENCE REDUCED British Wireless. Rugby, Jan. 28. The First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. A. V. Alexander, in, the House of Commons, made a statement regarding the recent incidents on the submarine depot ship Lucia. He said the Board of Admiralty, after studying the minutes of the subsequent court of inquiry, concluded that the conditions of contentment in the ship’s company and of sympathy between the officers and men which unquestionably existed in his Majesty’s ships generally were very far from being realised in the Lucia, and that this was due to some extent to a want of tact and consideration on the part of the captain and executive officers and incapacity on the part of the divisional officer concerned. But whatever the supposed provocation the refusal of duty could only be treated gravely in 3 service whose whole existence and putyose depended on obedience to orders. The board had decided to reduce the sentences by substituting detention in coses where imprisonment with hard labour and been awarded at the inquiry and to reduce the period of detention by one-third in all four cases, with a corresponding reduction in the summary punishments. The officers referred to would have their appointments terminated forthwith and ba placed on half pay. The Lucia would be paid off and recommissioned with a new crew and officers. Commander Kenworthy: “Would it not be impossible under the navy regulations for a man to be punished for forwarding 3 complaint which was unsubstantiated?” Mr. Alexander: "The men could not be punished except for a frivolous complaint.” Commander Bellairs: "If an officer demanded a court-martial would it be granted?” Mr. Alexander: "No, but the matter would be carefully considered.” Rear-Admiral Beamish: "Will the Lucia sentences of dismissal stand?” Mr. Alexander: “Yes, in the case of two of the worst