CUTS RESENTED BY NAVY

Taranaki Daily News, 10 November 1932, Page 5

CUTS RESENTED BY NAVY

REFUSAL OF DUTY DISCUSSED. MELBOURNE POSITION .OBSCURE. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Melbourne, Nov. 9. Naval ratings ashore on leave met outside the main railway station And discussed the question of refusing fluty. Some of the militants decided, not to rejoin their ships, and others resolved to return and to refuse duty this morning unless assured that they would not be “intimidated” when the ships put to sea.

It appears that the ratings’ troubles are due to resentment at reductions in pay under the Finance Emergency Officials late last night admitted that the position was obscure but they are confident that the good sense of the men will prevail. The readjustments in naval pay and conditions decided upon include increases in travelling allowances between ships and homes when on leave, an increase in allowances in lieu of rations. during leave‘and. an increase in. children’s endowment to the same rate payable in the public service. ’ " . -

DASTARDLY PLOT ALLEGED.

CREATION OF DISSENSION.

Rec. 10 p.m. Melbourne, Nov. 9. The drips of the Australian Navy left Melbourne at 6 a.m. and are now en route to Jervis Bay and Sydney. The dissatisfied ratings, mostly ■on - the cruiser Australia, went aboard on the understanding that there would be no intimidation or victimisation, but they made it clear that further mass meetings would be held upon their arrival at Sydney, when they expected their grievances with regard to pay to be redressed. ,

The Minister of Defence, Sir George Pearce, in the Senate at Canberra directed attention to the unrest in the Australian naval ships. ; He •’-dared that the Government possessed -ormation regarding .'an attempt to creme dissatisfaction in the navy by false propaganda. He had received what had been termed an “ultimatum” that if the demands were not conceded the men would refuse duty. He had also received a picture which indicated the men on. the verge of mutiny. A very cunningly directed campaign sought to use known grievances as a means of seducing the men of the fleet. Sir George added that it was advisable that the people of Australia should -know of this dastardly plot to create dissatisfaction in that arm of defence, on which the safety of the country depended.

A cable on Monday stated that it was understood that sensational statements in a Melbourne newspaper regarding alleged disaffection in th® Australian Navy, which it was officially considered were calculated to create insubordination” had been referred to the law officers, -