Too Good For Wharves

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30770, 7 June 1965, Page 1

Too Good For Wharves

<N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON. June 6. A 23-year-old Australian university graduate cannot work on the Wellington waterfront because his qualifications are too high.

The graduate. Alan Jackson, of Canberra, holds a bachelor ] of arts degree in oriental

studies but wanted to work] jon the waterfront to study j. human relationships in eml ployment. He completed an application form which required him to state his occupation during the last five years. - ■ He had spent three of those five years at the Australian i National University, Canberra, i “I had no idea they would knock me back because my : qualifications were too high," he said tonight. “Had 1 ; known I would have been tempted to fill in the applica- ; tion form as a labourer. “However, the selection committee told.me 1 would be i wasting my time and educa- ’ tion by working on the water- ! front. “1 think this is unfair. 1 have worked as a labourer. ' The waterfront is short of I

| labour and I could have (settled down to it quite well." he said. I “But I have to admit 1 am really on a working holiday. “It is the first time I have been refused employment because of qualifications. Usually it has been because 1 have lower than those required." A Wellington waterfront selection committee member, Mr C. Kerins, said the committee considered it would be unfair to accept Mr Jackson’s application to register as a waterfront worker. “At 23 and with his qualifications it is fairly certain he would not remain with us long enough to justify his employment," Mr Kerins said. “And we sincerely think he would be wasting his educational qualifications,” he said.