GROUND STAFF REBELS

Evening Star, Issue 25776, 26 April 1946, Page 6

GROUND STAFF REBELS

I DUTY REFUSED AT WIGRAM SERVICING CIVILIANS RESENTED (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, April 24. About 30 members of the ground staff at Wigram refused duty yesterday. Four of them at the head of the list for releaso were granted their discharges immediately, and the remainder were told that their releaso depended on the decision of tho Air Department. Tho ground crews object to being kept in the R.N.Z.A.F. to service planes for the transport of civilian passengers. The trouble started on April 15 when a Dominie aircraft, chartered by the Public Works Department landed at Wigram and the ground staff refused to service the machine. The man detailed to this task was placed under charge for refusing duty, but the rest of the ground staff refused duty until he was released. After the officer commanding, Wing Commander J. M. Checketts, had held an inquiry, the charge against him was withdrawn. The next incident was an order to bring out and prepare for flying one of the old Anson machines that had been put away in long-term storage. The machine was to be used for radar experiments. The ground staff refused to overhaul the machine, but n.c..0.s of the permanent staff took it in hand. Wing Commander Checketts addressed the men on the importance of radar research, but up to the time when they went on Easter leave the men refused to work on the machine. All the ground staff reported at Wigram yesterday morning, but did not work. The members of the permanent staff did the essential tasks. Officers from Air Headquarters, Wellington, visited Wigram to-day to investigate the complaints.