SHOULD GO TO CAMP

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 118, 21 May 1941, Page 9

SHOULD GO TO CAMP

UNION ORGANISER

MAN-POWER COMMITTEE CASE

APPEAL DISMISSED

(P.A.) AUCKLAND. May 20. A union organiser, Trevor John Potter, at a sitting of the Auckland Area Man-power Committee tonight, appealed against military service on the grounds' of public interest. Evidence was given by several union officials, who stressed the importance of the work done by the reservist. The appeal was dismissed by the committee, which comprises Mr. I. J. Goldstine, chairman, and Messrs. S. Takle and T. F. Anderson.

I The appeal took the form of an api plication for a 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 a 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 past twelve 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 ?ee that the terms of awards 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 consider-able-importance at present POLICING OF AWARDS. The reservist, in evidence, said that union organisers required several qualifications. "We have the Labour Department to see that awards are carried' out," said the chairman. "They come in only as a last resort ih disputes," replied the reservist. "The Department seldom settles disputes in country districts." "Do you 'say that : the interests' of workers would not be protected if you were called oh to do military training?" asked the chairman. 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 he could bring evidence to prove that organisers policed 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 there was internal dissension in the union. It was pointed out by Mr. Haigh that the reservist had been dismissed by the union in March, but he did not admit this was rightfully done, and he had since been reinstated. "Every branch in the province and the union as a whole have supported my appeal tonight." said the reservist. Mr. Harris said the appeal must be taken as a purely personal one. FOIJNDATIpNED AT BIRTH. "Are you a member or did you ever belong to the Peace and Anti-Con-scription League?" asked Mr. Harris. Mr. Haigh protested about the relevancy of the question, but the chairman allowed it, raying he presumed it was asked to ascertain the sincerity of the reservists 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." VI consider it is. definitely in the national interest, so far as our union is concerned, that the reservist should remain in his position, said E. F. Bradr ley, president of the union.. "If you get a bad organiser you get strikes and lock-outs everywhere." . Evidence also was given by L. G Matthews, secretary of the Drivers' Union. . DISMISSAL OF APPEAL. "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 possible to expedite the return of Australian carpenters to the Commonwealth? Is that assisting the New Zealand war effort?" asked Mr. Harris. "We have assisted members of our union to return to Australia," replied witness. "It is Australia's- war effort as well as ours, and these men are Australians." .

"The committee 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."

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