Watersiders And Military Service

Northern Advocate, 15 November 1940, Page 6

Watersiders And Military Service

1 [Special to “Northern Advocate ” 3 AUCKLAND, This Day. 1 The pi’esident of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce (Mr N. B. Spencer), at a meeting of the council of the chamber yesterday, said that no application in regard to ex- ■ cubing waterside workers from army service had been made in Auckland.

A member wrote criticising the recent announcement by the chairman of the Wellington Manpower Committee that if any A grade waterside workers appealed against being called up for military service, he would treat their work as a reserved occupation. A Serious Matter Mr Spencer said that as far as they could find out the Manpower Committee in Auckland would take waterside workers on the same basis as everybody else. I think this is a very serious. matter,” said Mr Gainor Jackson. He said it had been stated that the Watersider Workers’ Union was a closed union, but the answer was that it should be opened. It seemed absurd that waterside work should be a reserved occupation when production - was not. Confidence in Committee

Mr L. A. Eady said that apparently no direction had been given to the Manpower Committees Concerning essential and non-essential workers. He moved that the question of the classification of manpower should be discussed with the Manufacturers’ Association and the Farmers’ Union, with a view to making representations to the Government concerning future policy. Other members expressed confidence in the committee, and Mr Eady’s motion was later withdrawn.