OUTSIDE PRESSURE ALLEGED

Chronicle (Levin), 28 April 1947, Page 8

OUTSIDE PRESSURE ALLEGED

AUCKT.AND, April 26. Pressure groups outside the Navy have been causiug dissension accordmg to strong rumours current today. With 34 junioi' ratings who had been ' ' on liberty ' ' from the eruiser Bellona now absent without leave, beeause it is be lieved thcy are cfissatisfied with cou ditiOns, it is being. said that" the ratings, who are prepared to walk off ilucniiser, have been ' given assuranees oi employment in a pavticular ttnion. This: reported aspect of the troubk at Devetfpoft Naval Base was, howeverdenied by varions spokesmen for tlu ratings, who said tlris afternoon that they were not aware Of any pressure groups being active. They said they were determined to handle their own problems without outside interyention Naval oflficers wei^e not prepared l(; express an opinion, but there appear to be indie.ations that "a showdown" may oeeur in a few days' Afready 100 junio = r ratings have indicated to "the st.rike committee", whieh the3T have appoi nt .ed, that they will not return to duty , until they have' received a satisfactory reply to 10 grievances submitted today ;to the commandiug officer. By .Monday, when all the ship's company are due .to return from leave

it is possible that mauy more ratings will be absenb A spokesmau for the ' ' strike committee ' ' said that afternoon that the men are not seeking discharge. They wished to remain in the Navy, but if

their requests were not granted they wanted the" option of taking their" discharge, Ine-luded in their grievances are matters coneerning the U6W pav code, also taxation and the period -"for which gratuities are granted.