TO GO TO CAMP

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25082, 21 December 1944, Page 4

TO GO TO CAMP

17 WATEKSIDEES AVAILABLE IN JANUARY Application to withdraw the appeals lodged on behalf of 17 category A waterside workers was made by the Waterfront Control Commission at a sitting of the No. 1 Armed Forces Appeal Board last night. To enable the commission to handle the accumulation of work on the wharves during Christmas and New Year, the Auckland Waterfront Controller, Mr W. J. Cuthhert. made a request that the men be not called into camp until after January 15. The shipping and labour position in Auckland had undergone a change since the commission considered it was in the public interest that thc.se men should be held in the industry, said .Mr Cuthbqrfc. There had been some reduction in the volume of shipping at the port and, as far as could he ascertained, it was not likely the volume would increase to any extent next; year.

Although the men whose appeals were under consideration were skilled waterside workers, it could not be maintained that there were not sufficient physically tit men available for replacements in the industry, continued Mr Cuthhert.. In view of the Government's policy to return men with more than three years' overseas service to industry, there would no doubt be an equivalent number of men returned to the Auckland waterfront. Mr Cuthhert added that the Waterfront Control Commission desired to place on record that it had not at any time lodged appeals for single waterside workers or married men without children. The board dismissed the appeals with the condition that the men be not called up until after January I").