APPEAL FAILS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 186, 21 May 1941, Page 2

APPEAL FAILS

CASE OF UNION OFFICIAL. MAN-POWER COMMITTEE’S VIEW. (P.A.) AUCKLAND, May 20. A union organiser, Trevor John Potter, appealed against military service ,on the grounds of public interest, at a sitting of the Auckland Manpower Committee to-night. Evidence was given by several union officials, who emphasised the importance of the work being done by the reservist. The appeal was dismissed. The committee comprises Messrs I. J. Goldstine (chairman), S. Talcle and T. F. Anderson. The appeal took the form of an application for rehearing. It was stated that the reservist was liable for home service for the duration of the war. A great deal of legal argument took place before the committee decided to take evidence without prejudice to the question of- the rehearing if that was decided upon. Representing the Auckland District Labourers and Related Trades’ Union, Mr Haigh stated that the reservist had been employed as organiser to that union for the last 1.2 months, and he had previously held a somewhat similar position with the New Zealand Workers’ Union. He had become skilled in his duties, which -were to see that the terms of aw’ards and agreements were carried out, and to deal with and settle disputes. Mr Haigh added that the reservist had settled a considerable number of disputes, and. had brought about amity between employers and employees. He submitted that this type of work was of considerable importance at the present time. The reservist, in evidence, said union organises required several qualifications. “We have a Labour Department to see that awards are carried out,” said the chairman.

“They come in only as a last resort in disputes,” replied the reservist. “The department seldom settles disputes in country districts.” “Do you say that the interests of the workers would not be protected if you were called on to do military training? ’’asked the chairman. Dissension in Union. The reservist said this was so. “Then you say that the Labour Department cannot handle these matters” added the chairman. “I must confess the utmost surprise that, if it were not for union, organisers, these matters would not be brought before the Department.” The reservist said ho could bring evidonco to prove that the organisers policed the awards, and not the department. ; . The Crown representative, Mr Harris, quoted a letter, dated May 7, from the secretary of the union (Mr T. Stanley) stating that the reservist was no longer in its employ.

The reservist admitted that there was internal .dissension in the union. It was pointed out by Air Haigh that the reservist had been dismissed by the union in Alarch, but he did not admit that this was rightfulfy done, and lie had since been reinstated.

“Every branch in the province and the union as a whole, have supported my appeal to-night,” said the reservist.

Mr Harris said the appeal must he taken as a purely personal one. “Are you a member, or did you cvey belong to the Peace and Anti-Conscrip-tion League?” asked Mr Harris. \ Mr Haigh protested about the relevancy of the question; but the chairman allowed it, saying he presumed it was asked to ascertain the sincerity of the reservist’s appeal. “I was a member of the league at the age of three, and have been a member of the Labour Party since birth,” said the reservist. “With the bringing in of conscription the league, so far as I was concerned, was out of the. question. ‘‘l consider that it is definitely in the national interest, so far as our union is concerned, that the reservist should remain in his position,” said Mr E. F. Bradley, president of the union. “If you got a bad organiser yon get strikes J and lock-outs everywhere.” Evidence also was given bv L. G. Matthews, secretary of the Drivers Union. “Are you a member of the Communist Party?” asked Mr Harris of the next witness, C. L. Moore, secretary of the Carpenters’ Union. “Definitely not,” replied witness. “Why have you done everything possivlo to expedite the return of Australian carpenters to the (Commonwealth? Is that assisting the New Eea-

land war effort?” asked Mr Harris. “Wo have assisted members of our pinion to return to Australia,” replied witness. “It is Australia’s war effort as well as ours, and these men are Australians.” “The commitec cannot find any reason for non-service,” said the chairman. “It thinks the reservist should go to camp. The application for a rehearing is granted, and the appeal is dismissed”