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Wednesday 8 March 2017

New Zealand naval personnel protested against low wages according to the Dutch magazine Marineblad dated 1939 no. 12

Leander-class cruisers

An item referred to the magazine R.S.U.I. dated August 1939 reporting that 500 crewmembers of the cruisers Achilles (1) and Leander (2) and the depot ship Philomela (3) of the New Zealand Navy protested on 19 June at Devonport, Auckland against heir low wages. They made clear not to refuse service. The prime minister stated a day alter that problem was quite known for a longer period but that the cabinet had to approve a wage hike. Married men did indeed get such a hike and children surcharge.

Notes
1. Laid down by Cammell Laird, Birkenhead, United Kingdom on 11 June 1931, launched on 1 September 1932 and served in the Royal New Zealand Navy between 1941-1946 when she was sold to India where she became the HIMS Delhi. Of the Leander-class.
2. Laid down at navy dockyard at Devonport on 8 September 1930, launched om 24 September 1931 and serving in the Royal New Zealand Navy 1914-1945. Of the Leander-class.
3. Pearl-class cruiser, launched at the navy yard at Plymouth on 28 August 1890 for the British Royal Navy, loaned to New Zealand in 1914, worn out became she a depot ship for minesweepers in 1917, training ship since 1921 and finally was her hulk scuttled in 1949.