The Navy On Wednesday the Admiralty announced that the Lords
Commissioners had approved of a temporary suspension of the exercises of the Atlantic Fleet " while certain representations of hardship under new rates of pay are being investigated." This is due to the Senior Officer (the Commander-in-Chief is unfortunately in hospital) having reported that there was " unrest among a pro- portion of the lower ratings " since the reduced rates of pay had been promulgated. There is a guarded tone about the announcements, but we earnestly hope that it may prove that the " unrest " is only something due to a tactless presentation of the changes necessary next month. Education, which is of a high standard in the Navy, makes it impossible to expect or to desire the old, blind discipline enforceable by the " cat." Orderly representations of views of the lower ratings to sym- pathetic officers are common and are welcomed if they lead to adjustments of genuine grievances. But His Majesty's Navy, in which, by the way, cash pay is by no means the whole of the emoluments or advantages of the men, must guard its reputation for patriotism in whatever form it is invoked as devotedly as its efficiency.
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