The National Government proposed a 10 percent cut during the economic crisis, but the Navy's three existing pay scales made equal treatment unequal in effect. Calculating from the postwar scale meant that many ratings below petty officer faced a loss closer to 25 percent. The reduction threatened allowances and household commitments accumulated through the social advancement the service itself encouraged. A married sailor already paying for accommodation and family life could not absorb that sudden loss as a minor economy. The mismatch explains why a uniform percentage applied to unequal contracts became an explosive personnel decision.
Chapter · 42:36-45:35
Why a nominal 10 percent cut could mean 25 percent
Applying a 10 percent reduction to the wrong baseline meant much larger losses for many lower-paid ratings with family commitments.