BELLONA ABSENTEES AWAIT REACTIONS

Chronicle (Levin), 30 April 1947, Page 2

BELLONA ABSENTEES AWAIT REACTIONS

— AUCKLAND, April 29. Althougli threc-qu'arters of tke slxip's company had been ashore on overnight leave, all these ra t- ings returned nornially to duty in the cruiser Bellona today. rhere were no additions to the 5-1 men who liave refused to rejoin the sliip since tlie weekend but one of their number reported baclc to tlie Bellona today. The -absentees are atill await-ing the reaetion from the Naval Board to the 10 grievances they outlined in the letter posted to the commanding officer of the cruiser. Tliey had expected to learn of the decision today but the only information they received was the published statement of the Minister of' Defence that they were being treatedl as being absent without leave and tliat a number were _ expected to return to duty .within the next fcw days. It is now apparent that the future of the absent ratings has become a m'atter of Goverimient policy. When '200 sailors from the base cstablisliment of H.M.N.Z.S. Pliilomel went 011 strike at, the beginning of tlie 111011th, tliey were given the bluut option of return ing to duty and aecepting whatever punishments might be imposed or of being discharged On the grounds of their services being* no longer required. However, when about a dozen men in the minesweeper Hautapu refused. to ro join their ship at Timaru,' wrarrants were issued for their arrest. The ship's company of the Bellona totals about 500 officers and men. The large majority are New Zealanders but about 80 members of the crew, including the cruiser 'S detachment of Royal Marines, are Imperial ratings. None of these' men has been affected by the tronble.