TRAIN-RUNNING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24525, 6 February 1941, Page 9

TRAIN-RUNNING

DEPARTMENTAL DIFFICULTIES MEN RELEASED FOR CAMP MAN-POWER COMMITTEE APPEALS The difficulty of maintaining trainrunning staffs because of calls for overseas service and territorial training was emphasised to the Dunedin | Man-power Committee yesterday by a representative of the department who appeared in support cf applications on behalf of a clerk and seven porters stationed in the Otago district. “We have been trying to cover the shortage of men by cancelling annual leave,” said Mr S. G. Hcwie (staff clerk), “and the position has been reached now that we are over 2000 days behind with leave.” Mr Howie said that already more than 25 per cent, of the porters, tablet porters and junior staff members had been released for army service and that there was a real risk of loss of .efficiency and of confusion because of employment of insufficiently trained staff. At present there were 18 vacancies for trained x men in the Dunedin j shunting yards which could not be filled because trained men were not available. “We have only juniors to call on,” Mr Howie continued. “ and they have to go through their training.” The department was not operating against calls for overseas service, and it was prepared to release the men concerned in this application after April 30. by which time the busy season would be slackening. "Is it correct,” asked Mr C. V. Smith, “that the railways staff is now 50 per cent, bigger than it was a few years ago?” “There has been a tremendous increase,’ Mr Howie replied, “for which the 40-hour week is mainly responsible A big number of girls is employed.” The committee, which comprises Messrs D. C. Cameron (chairman) Smith, W. R. Clarke and W. J. M. Grand (Government representative and secretary), dismissed the applications concerning two porters and decided that the other six men should be available for camp on April 30. The application of the Railways Department concerning two moulders, one fitter, one pattern-maker and one turner employed at the Hillside Workshops was adjourned to April 4. Four cleaners and acting firemen for whom the Railways Department appealed were released for service as from April 30. Other Appeals The difficulty of coping with special work with a small staff was put forward as the grounds for the application of the Dominion Fertiliser Company, Ltd., for the retention of a laboratory assistant. The application was adjourned sine die. The application of A. and T. Burt, Ltd., concerning a brass finisher was adjourned sine die, as was the .application of the Iron and Steel Company. Ltd., concerning a furnaceman. The Dunedin Engineering Company’s application concerning a furnaceman was adjourned sine die. The- application of the Maungatua Dairy Factory Company, on behalf of a first assistant, was adjourned sine die. , '■ ’• The committee decided that a clicker employed by Sargood Son and Ewen should be available for camp on April 30, and that a gut stripper employed by Jensen 8r05.,: and also engaged on farm work, should be available on March 31. An application on behalf of an engraver by W. A. Morrison was dismissed. The committee decided that a garage hand for /whom Austin-Motars, Ltd., applied should be released for camp on February 2R In the case of a bagger employed by M. McCabe, it was decided to release him for camp on March 31, the same decision beirig reached in regard to the application of D. J. Dunn on behalf of a bag man. A rabbiter for whom S. D, Jenkins applied was released for service on March 22. An-application on behalf of a grocery assistant failed, the committee releas- ' ing him for camp. An application for an,orchard! st was adjourned sine die. Applications by Ross and GlenamIng. Ltd., on behalf of a boot operator and a rough stuff department man were adjourned to March 31. In an application by J. H. McGregor arid Co., Ltd., concerning an engineering works manager the committee decided to release the man for service on April 30. An application by Cadbury Fry Hudson. Ltd., concerning a foreman was adjourned sine die. An application concerning a medical student was adjourned sine die. That cf a plumber was dismissed. The applications of five men ballotted and held back for the Air Force were adjourned sine die. In regard to applications on behalt of seven farm hands, it was decided that they should be released for camp on March' 31. The same decision was reached in the case of a farmer and a musterer. An application by a farmer on his own account was adjourned sine die, likewise those of an orchardisl. a watchmaker, a runholder. and a seaman. It was decided to adjourn to May 1 the application of a farmer. An application by T. A. McLean for the release from camp of a farm hand was granted. A farm hand applying on his own account was released for service on February 20. The applications on their own behalf of two farmers were adjourned sine die. A third farmer is to be available on April 30. and another is to be available on March 31. It was decided in the cases of seven farm hands, a shearer, and a teamster that they should be available for camp on March 31, and four other farm hands on April 30. Two further applications concerning a farm hand and a meat carter were dismissed.