History of wireless telegraphy and broadcasting in Australia/Topical/Archives/NAA/480388

P.193

(start of rectangular stamp) NAVY - 16 - 7551 (end of rectangular stamp)

(start of circular stamp) NAVY OFFICE - MELBOURNE - 18 SEP 1916 (end of circular stamp)

24th May, 1916.

My dear Moloney,

I am in receipt of your letter with one enclosed from Mr Syd Morris, Wireless Operator, Melbourne Station, wherein he brings under notice that, when the new scheme for the wireless service comes into operation it will be necessary for all operators to undergo a medical test.

For your information I desire to inform you that the Rules and Regulations for the new scheme have not yet been ratified by myself and I will take into consideration the points raised by Mr Morris although at this juncture I cannot definitely say what will be decided on.

Yours faithfully,

(Start of stamp) (Sgd) J. A. Jensen (End of stamp)

Parker Moloney, Esq., M.P.,

Federal Parliament House,

Melbourne.

(start hand annotation) Detached from 16/647 L.? E.? G.? 18.9.16 (end hand annotation)

P.207

(start of oval stamp) WIRELESS TELEGRAPH STATION - MELBOURNE - JUN 21 1916 (end of oval stamp)

(start of rectangular stamp) NAVY - 16 - 5221 (end of rectangular stamp)

(start of circular stamp) NAVY OFFICE - MELBOURNE - 21? JUN 1916 (end of circular stamp)

(start of stamp) Referred to Naval Secretary by the Minister - 21 JUN 1916 (end of stamp)

To. The Honorable the Minister for the Navy.

Melbourne.

Sir.

Herewith we beg to submit a synopsis (Ed.: refer Pages 208-210) as requested and regarding which, our deputation will wait upon you, at 3. p.m. Thursday next as arranged by Mr Chanter.

Yours Faithfully

(start signature) S. P. Morris (end signature) - (Ed.: certainly C.P.O. Sydney Paul Francis Morris) (hand annotated £180, likely current salary)

(start signature) F. J. Henderson (end signature) - (Ed.: certainly C.P.O. Frederick James Henderson)

(start signature) H. G. Selfe (end signature) - (Ed.: certainly C.P.O. Harry Giles Turner Selfe) (hand annotated £180, likely current salary)

(start signature) John A. Cooper (end signature) - (Ed.: not yet identified)

(start signature) L. J. Moore (end signature) - (Ed.: certainly C.P.O. Louis James Murphy Moore) (hand annotated £180, likely current salary)

(hand annotated Chanter, Henderson, Censor, Naval section whole C'wealth dissatisfied in salary wos in?)

P.208-210

To the Honorable the Minister for the Navy.

Sir,

On behalf of the Majority of the Staff of the Government Radio Service of Australia, we desire to present the following Petition, protesting against the proposed reorganisation scheme, as per Memorandum 16/647 of 26th. May, from the Naval Secretary.

We respectfully beg to submit the following:-

1. We strongly object to signing on as C.P.O.s, and consider that by so doing, we would be losing the social status we at present enjoy as permanent and exempt Officers of the Professional Division of the Public Service. We think that too much distinction is being made between the Senior and Junior Operators. We desire also to lay stress on the fact that, while not taking an exhalted view of our present positions, we enjoy a certain social standing, which will at once be swept away if we are compelled to wear the uniform of a C.P.O. Further, C.P.O.s have to travel second class when on transfer, whereas at present we travel first. We claim that the rank of Warrant Officer be the lowest granted to any officer at present satisfactorily serving, and point out that at present in the British Navy, Wireless Operators in inferior positions are given Warrant Rank.

2. We also strongly object to the minimum Salary offered, and feel that it is totally inadequate for the work performed by any Wireless Operator, and also to the Salaries offered to Engineer Operators at present in the Service. These men have most responsible duties, and every day are in charge of watches etc, during which they occupy the position of Operator, Censor of all messages and also have in their possession the most important secret and confidential matter. We claim that the minimum for men now in the Service be £204 per Ann. with proportional increases for seniority, and that men in future entering the Service be paid a minimum salary of £180 per Annum. Under the Naval Board's proposal many men would actually receive less than their present total Salary. Taking into consideration the fact that the Senior Officers in the present Service are being offered increases in their salaries to go over to the Navy, we do not understand why the Junior Officers have not been also offered some increase, more especially in view of the fact that many of them were informed, before coming into their present positions under the public service, that they would get an increase of 5/- per week after having served a period of six months. These increases were never paid. We further point out that it is suggested that all increments be paid biennially. Under this system, each Officer receiving an increment would lose the benefit of the first year's increase. We ask that all increments be paid annually, as in all Government Departments, but, providing we are awarded a satisfactory minimum, we do not ask or desire that any further increases be made during the period of the War.

3. With regard to the allowance for Uniforms, we wish to point out that seven Pounds (£7) would not nearly cover requirements for a C.P.O., and consider it absurdly out of proportion to the allowance for other ranks. We propose that C.P.Os. entering the Service receive £15, and Warrant Officers and other Senior Officers, £25, also that £10 per annum be allowed for subsequent upkeep.

4. Regarding general hospital treatment, in event of sickness on northern and western Stations, it is not desirable that Officers should have to occupy the same quarters as the coloured population, and we ask that better conditions be afforded accordingly.

5. While we recognise that exceptional circumstances may arise, making it necessary to work a number of hours in excess of those of ordinary duty, we object to doing this extra work, without being paid Overtime rates for same. On tropical Stations, cases frequently arise, through illness, which would necessitate the application of the foregoing conditions.

6. The retiring age is set down at 57 years for C.P.O. and 60 years for all other ranks. As the retiring age in the Public Service is 65 years, we protest against Officers transferred to the Naval Service being called upon to retire 8 and 5 years earlier respectively.

7. We desire to know our position under Naval organisation regarding freedom of speech and opinion. Recently a Northern Station was informed by the Director for Wireless Telegraphy That no Officer was allowed to express an individual opinion regarding the new scheme. Surely this is a gross injustice?

8. Re Medical examination. We feel it would be unfair to deprive any officer of his present position for now failing to pass a medical test, especially as many of them have served several years in other Federal and State departments, before entering which they passed the different Government Medical Officers. We therefore ask that those officers now serving be exempt from any further medical examination.

9. We desire also to guard the interests of officers who are required to sign on, and consider that no man should be dismissed from the service at any time, unless a reason quite satisfactory be apparent for such dismissal.

P.211-213

Dissatisfaction re proposed permanent transfer of temporary Wireless Operators from the Postmaster General's Department to Department of Navy.

The Naval Secretary

16/3787. The following telegram was received at this Office incorrectly addressed:-

Geraldton 14 1/- 4.50. 15th June 1916.
Engineer Operators' Radio, Melbourne.
"Will do as suggested. Surmise offers unsatisfactory. Telegraph contemplated action immediately." 

2. As will be seen, the operators employed at Radio Stations are evidently contemplating concerted action with a view to obtaining what they consider more satisfactory terms before accepting the individual offers of appointment conveyed in Navy Office circular No. 16/647 of 26th May.

3. I am of the opinion that the operators concerned are labouring under the impression that the Naval Board are more or less a commercial body prepared to bargain, and that the letter referred to is in the nature of a "feeler" circulated to obtain expressions of opinion as to what is considered by the Staff as a satisfactory offer, instead of regarding the letter and offer conveyed therein as a definite, liberal and straightforward Naval Service offer made after careful consideration of the individual cases.

4. Another reason, I believe, for the offers made being regarded by the Station Staff with a certain amount of mistrust arises from the case of the employees of the Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) Limited which comes before the Arbitration Court within the course of a week or so. In this claim the operators are endeavouring to obtain a minimum rate of pay of £3 per week, with cabin accommodation and rations. The Commonwealth Arbitration Court fixed the wages of the 4th Officer of ships registered and lying in Australian Waters at £13 per month, with accommodation and rations. It is difficult to see the justification for the claim of £3 per week on behalf of wireless operators, who, it is pointed out, pass through a six months' course in the Marconi School, without previous electrical and other qualifications, whereas a 4th Officer whose responsibilities are greater has to serve a period of apprenticeship covering 3 years sea time.

5. At the same time I consider that the present remuneration of Marconi operators which ranges between 25/- and 40/- per week is inadequate, especially as the huge monopoly of the Marconi Company enables that Company to refuse employment to Wireless Operators who have not paid the £25 for their course in Wireless Telegraphy. This is one of the bad features of such and similar monopolies, and it is difficult to combat.

6. This question is, however, being dealt with by me in a separate report, putting forward proposals for the entire Government control of all Wireless Telegraphy installations fitted in ships of the Mercantile Marine registered and trading in Australian Waters.

7. Adverting to the operators employed in Commonwealth Radio Stations, I am quite sure that the liberal offer of permanent employment in the Royal Australian Naval Radio Service is not yet fully appreciated. The chief objection is, I understand, to the C.P.O. Operator rating. They appear ignorant of the fact that a C.P.O. of the Naval Service is a tried man of over eight years' standing, with a training far and above that of the majority of Junior Operators now serving in the Radio Service.

8. Again many of the Staff appear to be entirely unaware that the rank of Warrant and Commissioned Warrant Officer are those which are given to tried and trained men with years of good professional service and experience. From the information gathered I am very much afraid that some of the staff in Radio Stations have been more or less exploited in the past, and induced to accept positions with the promises of rapid promotion, promises which the Department has not been in a position to fulfil.

9. Another aspect is that in any general scheme of reclassification it will be conceded that the employees affected expect, generally, more than that to which they are legally and morally entitled.

10. The Naval organization of the Radio Service is one which has been carefully considered in every detail, and I would strongly advise that it not be departed from. It is not unlikely there may be a few cases deserving of special consideration, or cases requiring some small adjustment in regard to pay, but the general scheme of ranks and ratings should in my opinion be strictly adhered to.

11. In conclusion, I venture to express the opinion that as soon as it is realised that the Naval Board are not engaged in ordinary commercial bargaining with the Staff, but are making offers, definite, liberal and straightforward, then the results should be more promising than those indicated at the present moment.

(start initials) F. G. C. (end initials)

A/Director of Wireless Telegraphy

20 June 1916

P.214-216

(Start Annotation) Submitted by Minister for Navy to Cabinet. Cabinet approved.(End Annotation)

PROPOSAL TO ORGANISE COMMONWEALTH WIRELESS TELEGRAPH SERVICE AS NAVAL ORGANISATION.

In the Radio Service there are 39 permanent employees and 77 temporary. These were administered commonwealth Public Service Act when under the Postmaster General's Department, but as the Public Service Act does not apply to anyone in the Department of the Navy, it is desired to organise the service under the Naval Defence Act.

2. Of course all employees would be consulted beforehand and given the opportunity to adopt the new conditions or otherwise. Any preferring to remain in the Public Service would be absorbed by the Public Service Commissioner in the service as far as possible. It is considered, however, that the change will commend itself to all employees.

3. Particularly as regards temporary employees is some early action necessary. These employees have no fixed agreement and moreover the Department has no hold on them. Recently an operator at Townsville resigned, wishing to join the Australian Imperial Forces. He was informed that operators were scarce and his services could not be spared. He nevertheless left his post, and came away from Townsville. It is apparent that the Department should have some hold on its employees, and under the new scheme they should be signed on for a term and could not claim discharge, which would only be granted if a man's services could be spared, except of course on the expiration of his period of engagement.

4. In war, the Radio Service passes automatically under Naval control. It is desired to organise it now as a Naval Service so that in peace time there will be Naval organisation existing and so on outbreak of war no change will be necessary. On the outbreak of war in 1914 the engineer for Radiotelegraphy was practically placed under orders of Naval Board, and the best use possible was made of the service. Had the staff been trained in Naval signalling procedure better results would have been possible; but it will be apparent that Naval Secret Signalling Codes and instructions cannot be placed in the hands of operators who are not under Naval control. This the Admiralty lay great stress on.

In consequence of this during this war the coding and decoding of all messages from the Fleet has had to be done at Navy Office. This is highly inconvenient as following example will show.

   1. Man-of-war sends coded message to Darwin directing collier to remain there until her arrival.
   2. This has be sent to Navy Office by land wire for decoding.
   3. Navy Office after decoding issues by telegraph instructions to Darwin to retain collier.
   4. In the meantime collier has sailed for Thursday Island in accordance with previous orders.
   5. Darwin informs Navy Office of (4).
   6. Message to man-of-war conveying information as at (4) coded in Navy Office and sent by land wire to Darwin.
   7. Above message in code transmitted by Wireless Telegraphy to man-of-war from Darwin.

All this time the man-of-war has been steaming towards Darwin. At least 24 hours is lost and possibly strategic considerations upset. All of which could have been obviated if Darwin had a code book.

5. In England such W/T Stations as are required for the purpose of Naval warfare are under the permanent control of the British Admiralty in peace time.

6. In the United States of America the Wireless Telegraphic Service is under the permanent control of the United States Navy.

7. There are 9 stations now in the Pacific scheme directly under the orders of the Administrator, Rabaul, though under the Navy Department control. The officers in charge and the Operators and Mechanics have at the special urgent urgent request of the Administrator been given Naval Rank and pay as members of the Naval and Military Expeditionary Force. This of course only applies as long as the war lasts.

8. It is considered that the service will be more efficient when operators are governed by Naval rules. There is no "cross talk" of operators under Naval Control. In this way the public will be benefited.

9. A valuable reserve of trained operators will be available in course of time, for as men apply for discharge from the Seagoing Force after 7 years' or more service it will be possible to retain them by placing them in billets ashore. The Fleet will in this way also be benefited by having in the shore stations men who know the ways of the Fleet at sea.

10. So far as salaries are concerned, the existing salaries under Public Service rules will be closely approximated to. The Naval rates of pay at present applying to the Administrative and Instructional Staff of the Navy will be applied to the Radio Service. The cost of the services will not be increased.

11. The new service which it is proposed to call the Royal Australian Navy Radio Service (Shore Stations) will consist at present of the present staff of the Commonwealth Radio Service; they will be enrolled as a separate corps, an auxiliary to but not an integral part of the Royal Australian Navy. They will wear uniform similar to naval uniform with slight difference in badges. There will also be slight variation in nomenclature of ranks.

(Start of annotation) These proposals originally furnished to Naval Board by Director of Radio Service (Cresswell) on 25 Jan 1916. (End of annotation)