WATERFRONT WORK.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 24, 8 November 1940, Page 3

WATERFRONT WORK.

A GRADE MEN ESSENTIAL. EXEMPTION FROM TRAINING. I (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, November 7. The principle that Grade A waterside workers are to be deemed an essential part of the Dominion’s war organisation was emphasised by the chairman of the Wellington Manpower Committee (Mr M. F. Luckie), when appeals by the Waterfront Controller from requirements of territorial training in respect of 12 members of the union came up to-day. The controller (Captain Vandenberg) said it was esential to keep the waterfront industry going. They had lost 100 freezing men in'the first three echelons. He would appeal, he said, for all waterside workers to he exempted. It was a closed union, and the industry was a most essential one.

Mr Luckie said that the industry had the right to appeal, regardless whether the men concerned wanted to go to camp or not. No technicalities should be allowed to stand in the way of all Grade A men who were an essential part of the industry, and should he given adjournments sine die.

Schoolmaster’s Case.

A college master, who appealed on the ground that a serious position would arise if the education system was not fully maintained, was met by the remark that the position would be much more seriotrs if there were an invasion without trained fighting men to meet it.

His personal appeal was dismissed, but the appeal of the employing authority was met to the extent that the appellant will not be called up before December 7.