Establishment Of Weather Bureau

Northern Advocate, 30 August 1947, Page 2

Establishment Of Weather Bureau

TRADES COUNCIL WANTS

(By “Industrialist”) A DECISION to gather all possible information and data with a view to obtaining a meteorological station in, or in close proximity to. Whangarei was made at this month’s meeting of the Trades Council. In discussion, one delegate pointed out that the present forecasts, in many instances, were unsatisfactorv.

Farmers, coastal seamen, fishermen and many other people whose livelihood depended on correct forecasts were at times handicapped because of faulty announcements.

BASKETBALL TEAMS The Whangarei Trades Council is to cooperate with the Physical Welfare Officer (Mr S. V. Higgins) in arranging accommodation for approximately 75 members of indoor basketball teams who are scheduled to visit Whangarei on September 27. The visit is being sponsored by the Auckland Trades Council and the players are nearly all members of Auckland trade union teams.

The approaching summer season would also bring into the open many thousands of people, who would be camping', boating and taking part in outdoor sports, which could be affected by the weather. It was pointed out that, with the building of a radio station almost in sight, establishment of a climatological station also, would enable correct weather forecasts to be broadcast to the Northland district.

ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the Whangarei branch of the New Zealand Workers’ Union took place this month the following officers being elected: — President, Mr G. Pulham; vice-presi-dent, Mr E. Joblin; secretary-trea-surer, Mr W. Rowlands; committee, Messrs .T. Tennant, S. Laurence, G. Green, G. K. Pemberton; delegates to LRC, Messrs Pulham, Rolands. Green, T. Calwell; trades council representatives, Messrs Joblin, Pulham, Rolands: annual conference delegate, Mr Joblin: Whangarei representative on the Auckland provincial executive of the union, Mr Pulham. Among other matters discussed at the meeting were the proposed 5/- increase in union membership fees; amalgamation of unions and the problem of sharemilkers being affiliated to the New Zealand Workers’ Union. i-.s * ».*! TRANSPORT LICENSING

At the present time “B” weather stations are established in a number of Northland districts including Whangarei. Kaikohe and Kaitaia. but only the official rainfall figures are recorded.

The council has ascertained that the officer in charge of the local station (Mr W. Berry) earlier this year applied for the supply of the equipment necessary to bring his station up to senior status.

Mr Berry was notified that the department had under consideration establishment of a climatological station at QJenbervie for the State ForesItry Service. 1 Such a station was needed for special investigations for the forestry service, but it would also furnish records that should be generally representative of the Whangarei district. Glenbervie was approximately six miles from Whangarei, and if a station was established there, erection of yet another in Whangarei would not be justified, the letter concluded. Cape Maria van Diemen and Cape Brett are both fully established "A” stations.

A committee consisting of Messrs F. Moore, C. J. Homer and J. Angelo was appointed by- the Whangarei Trades Council to gather and receive all information in regard to the running of passenger and freight vehicles in the district, with a view to arranging for legal representation, in the interests of the general public at future sittings of the No. 1 Transport Licensing Authority.

Members of the council feel that with the gathering of further evidence, the department might be persuaded to establish a senior station earlier than originally intended.

RATES OF PAY Discussions between the manager of the Portland cement works (Mr E. Leese) and the Whangarei branch of the Engineers’ Union in regard to rates of pay for members of the branch employed at the works resulted in the management agreeing to an (increase. * 6 # * ANNUAL MEETING VISITORS Visitors attending the meeting of the Whangarei branch of the New Zealand Workers’ Union were the secretary of the Auckland provincial branch (Mr W. F. Shilton), and the provincial organisers (Messrs G. Bravery and F. L. Fenton). s’.* ft * * INDONESIA The Whangarei branch of the Engineers’ Union after considerable discussion passed the following resolution: “That this branch demands that the Government bring pressure to bear on the Dutch Government to cease its wanton attacks on the Indonesian Republic, and would point out that the Dutch action contravenes the principles outlined in Clause 3 of the Atlantic Charter.

SECRET BALLOT PROTESTS The following resolution was carried unanimously at this month’s meeting of the Whangarei branch of the Engineers’ Union : ‘'That the Auckland branch call upon the National Council of the Engineers’ Union and the National Executive of the Federation of Labour and of the Labour Party to immediately organise action to combat the antiworking class legislation being enacted.

“We recall the repeated promises of the Government to consult the Federation of Labour when bringing down acts concerning the trade union movement. and are confident they did not do so in this case. We have no knowledge of any trade union requesting such legislation, but we do know that the employing class has consistently demanded it.

“The bill, in all its aspects, if carried into effect would completely subordinate the trade union movement to the interests of the employing class and covers what the employers have been asking for. There is ample provision in trade union' rules for secret ballots and it is a matter for the trade unionists themselves to decide.

“Furthermore we call upon the Government to organise all possible relief, and assistance for the Indonesian people, feeling that such assistance would be in strict accord with the principles of the Canberra Pact and UNO, and would be a major factor in developing future peace and friendly relations with all the Pacific peoples.”

“Consequently we consider the act as undue interference with the rights of the trade union movement, and demand its withdrawal.” Members of the Portland Cement Workers’ Union carried a similar resolution.

WAGES DISPUTE PROTEST The Portland Cement Workers’ Union has passed unanimously a resolution protesting against the Arbitration Court’s pronouncement for a 3d per hour wage increase. Members felt that, in view of large profits made by New Zealand companies 6d an hour could have been granted without any undue hardship to industries. # i\t 0 DRIVERS UNION The provincial. organiser of the Auckland branch of the Drivers’ Union this week visited the Whangarei branch. He spent considerable time in discussing and investigating complaints in regard to the interpretation of various clauses in the drivers’ award. Back pay was recovered in a number of cases. * * * ROSTER SYSTEM INSTITUTED Members of the Portland Cement Workers’ Union have decided to adopt a roster system among those engaged in the loading of ships and wherever practicable, elsewhere. This will alternate the various types of wharf work so that the men will become proficient on any job That they may be called upon to carry out. The management has acceded to the request of the employees.

NOMINATIONS Messrs F. Moore and J. Angelo have been by the Whangarei Trades Council to fill one vacancy on the Whangarei Rehabilitation Committee. The Rehabilitation Board in Wellington makes the final selection. * * * $ ORGANISER’S VISIT Subjects of a domestic nature were discussed by the Auckland Provincial organiser of the Engineers’ Union (Mr Fred Catt), when he had consultations ,with members of the union at the Portland cement works. RADIO STATION Delegates to the Whangarei Trades Council objected to the claims by the Whangarei Chamber of Commerce, that it was ' mainly responsible for obtaining the local radio station. Council members asserted that they had equal, if not major claims to the honour, in view of the fact that personal representations were made to the Minister of Broadcasting (Mr Jones) when he visited Whangarei. The council, in conjunction with the Marsden LRC discussed the establishment of a radio station for Northland along with other subjects. Discussions were also held with the 1 Post-master-General (Mr Hackett) when he visited Whangarei.