FIFTY RATINGS ABSENT FROM BELLONA

Chronicle (Levin), 1 May 1947, Page 6

FIFTY RATINGS ABSENT FROM BELLONA

Press. Association

By Telegra.pn —

A U UlVJ-iAlN V} April dU. Four of 54 liien absent without leave . from the Beltona have returned to the cruiser. All those with overnight leave on Tuestiay reported for dnty this morning. The next-of-kin of absent ratings under the age of 2i, have been advised by telegrams from the Naval authorities that tlieir boys are absent. without leave under naval regulations. A rating who remains absent without leave for seven days without adequate reason is elassed as a deserter and ioses all pay and allowances from the day he left the ship. His paybook is marlced permanently with the word ' ' run ' ', the traditional naval term. Allegations that unfair mctliods were being used in an attempt to get them to return to the ship were made this morning by the ratings eoncerned in the dispute. The men -state that telegrams were sent yesterday to all next-of-kin of those involved that their son or husband was absent without leave. "This is an underhand method," said a spokesman for the ratings. "By playing on the emotions of the parents the authorities believe we ean be forced back to the. ship. " Two men are known to have returned following' pressure from next-of-kin. The men also allege that telephone calls are being tapped and telegrams opencd without authoritiy. The men agreed that it should be permissible for telegrams to be opened if a- man was absent from the ship/ but they considered it unvvarranted interference if a man was aboard. "Although we are in a minority we are taking the biggest step in our lives for the benefit of those who remain in the scrvice, ' ' the ratings stated. Fifty ratings are now absent without leave. Representations from the men absent without leave from the Bellona.are not being considered by the Naval Board, but those made by members of the ship's complement, who are continuing their normal dutiea, are being examined by the board. These faets were stated today by the Alinister of Defence (Mr. Jones) in a correction of the impression that the 10 demands made by the absentees were under consideration. "The only representations being considered by the Naval Board are those which'have been made by the men sc.rving on board the Bellona through the proper Service channels," Mr. Jones said. "No consideration is or will be given to representations being made. by the | men who have failed to return to theit duty. ' ' .