Dear Sir,

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 20, 23 April 1947, Page 6

Dear Sir,

Letters to the Editor must be clearly written on one side of the paper only and where a nom-de-plume is used the name of the writer must be included for reference purposes. The Editor reserves the right to abridge, amend or withhold any letter or letters.

HIS MAJESTY'S NAVY Sir, Being an ex-naval man with many years continual service in His Majesty's Navy, I wish to comment on the incident, that has occurred in the H.M.N.Z. Navy, and to which the New Zealand Herald has given so much publicity, viz., "The Navy godes on strike," also the action of those who were responsible for the order given which resulted in their discharge and forfeiture of money, rightfully belonging to these men (deferred pay). I feel convinced that many exservicemen will view this affair very seriously. The public has little interest in it because the life and conditions of men who voluntary render their services to the King and Empire for a number of years, has never been properly revealed or brought home to them. The inducement to join, was in most cases to be found in the advertisements and posters. "Join the Navy and see the world, Good Conditions and Prospects'" Today, a man or boy, must show a high standard of education before he is accepted, therefore he must understand the responsible position he occupies in the service of his country. He is not forced to accept service, through the recruiting sergeant who used to go around offering the King's shilling to any who would accept, or is he forced into service through the agency of press gangs.

Navy men are sworn in on oath for a number of years, thereby giving their services and bodies to the service of the King and people, and they can only terminate their service by an order from the Navy Board or Admiralty, through some act which means disgrace; disablement or death. Any action the men take to right their wrongs; by their own means, if illegal is called mutiny or disobedience of orders. The punishment is laid down in King's rules and regulations, termed articles of war, and every three months the members of all naval establishments or ships are assembled on the quarter, deck of their ships and the commanding officer reads these articles out to the men, who stand to attention with heads bowed. # Each article ends with the words, "punishable by death or such other punishment, hereafter not to mention so many servicemen and ex-service-men will realise that the editors of the Herald are wrong in terming the affair a strike, as a strike can only be applied to men affiliated to some union or labour movement. Of late years as the navy has advanced with the quickly changing times the men of the lower deck have been granted permission to form what is called a welfare committee on the lower deck which discusses the men's grievances and takes them -to the quarter deck (the commanding officer). Should the commanding officer decide in the men's favour, he sends the request through to the Commodore or Admiral on the station, who in turn, if he so decides, send it on to the Admiralty or Navy office where the red • tape begins. If the Lords at the Admiralty turn down the request, then that is the finish, the men carry on as before for the tradition of the Navy and its discipline, which has been handed down from the days of Drake, Raleigh, Kempenfelt, Nelson and Howe is so strong and is held in almost sacred reverance by the bluejackets. They never question their authority or law which is embodied in the articles of war. The cartoon published by the Herald, showing black feet marks loading from the ship, will cause great resentment with servicemen and ex-servicemen, for we take it to represent black marks on the tradition of the Navy. The Herald a few months back was very prominent in praising these men for their wonderful service and devation to duty in their fight for freedom. These men who were instrumental in preventing this fair and beautiful land of ours from falling into the hands of the Japanese who we certainly know, would have made it a human abbatoir (slaughter house) and shambles. These men stood to their guns, taking any punishment from the yellow or - Nazi devils in silence and devotion to duty. The Herald now belittles them in the cartoon it has published, for it is the lower deck rating that has helped to build up the glorious tradition of the Eritish Navy. The pub-

lie hold their own opinion concerning the statement by the Herald, and know in whose interests* the Herald works. Navy men will not easily forget or even forgive. The cartoon no doubt, has played a part in helping to make a verdict against these men by the red taped officials of the service, and place the blame on the shoulders of the Government. As I have already mentioned, the public are not interested, because they do not fully realise the deep meaning of this cartoon. It represents the afterdeck or quarter deck of a warship, with the Naval white ensign flying over it. The black marks represent the feet marks of the men who left their duty, and walked down the gangway. The quarter deck is held in deep reverance and respect; it is almost sacred ground, by officers and men of the navy. Every time a rating goes on the quarter deck, he stands to attention turns towards the ensign and salutes. The quarter deck is the emblem of the King's authority, as ruler of the Empire, and Admiral of the fleet it is the high court of the navy where men are tried for disobeying orders, where punishment is meted out to defaulters, and their case read out to the ship's company who assemble there to listen to the verdict. It is also the holy ground on Sunday for the chaplain holds church service in a rigged church. It is on the quarter deck all high personages are received, with guards of honour and Boatswains' whistles. It is the Admiral's parade ground and it is also the men's concert chamber when concerts are given. The pride of the ship is in its quarter deck. Only those on special duty are allowed on it. All orders are issued from here and bluejackets are proud of their quarter deck. No greater insult may be offered to any bluejacket than that which will associate him with staining the quarter deck by dishoonur. The deferred pay of the men is kept back. This money is rightfully theirs for it is a portion of their pay held back, until they leave the service and these men will be discharged with disgrace. Yet if war was declared they would be compelled to serve. I have never yet come across a naval serviceman serving or retired who does not deeply respect the white ensign; other ensigns are of little value to the bluejackets. He is deeply conscious of the fact that it is a symbol of freedom and liberty wherever it is planted and there are some ports of Empire, remote from civilisation, where the bluejacket feels a stranger but has gained heart and confidence when he finds the white ensign flying from some outlandish post. These men have not sullied the flag or stained the tradition of the service, but have revolted against the red tape of officialdom. But we are now living in a quickchanging world in which camouflage is largely used by high officials and the press to try and win the confidence of a people who see through a dark glass. It would be a wonderful thing if people could be encouraged to read the word of God turning to James Chapter 5 but even the truth of this has been camouflaged. Yours etc., AN OLD-TIME FLATFOOT.