RESIGNATION OF GUNNERS

Southland Times, Issue 23342, 28 October 1937, Page 6

RESIGNATION OF GUNNERS

CHANGE OF ATTITUDE ONLY SEVEN ADHERE TO DECISION (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, October 27. A change of attitude has occurred on the part of 27 of the gunners who resigned recently from their service at the Narrow Neck barracks of the Royal New Zealand Artillery. These men, according to information given in an interview this evening bj' the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones), have withdrawn their resignations. The Minister stated that only seven of the men who had tendered their resignations still adhered to theit decision. He was sorry the position had ever arisen, as the whole question of pay and the conditions of the men concerned had been under consideration by the Government. The intentions of the Government in this respect would be disclosed as soon as possible, but it was not going to allow itself to be stampeded into a hasty decision. “MATTER SHOULD BE PUT RIGHT” MR J. HARGEST’S VIEWS (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, October 27. “If these men are being imposed upon wittingly or unwittingly, then it is up to the Minister to rectify the matter forthwith,” said Mr J. Hargest (Nat., Awarua), when referring during the second reading cf the debate on the Army Bill in the House of Representatives today to the resignation of artillerymen at Auckland. “I noticed an article in this morning’s paper to the effect that some of the gunners have resigned,” said Mr Hargest. “If that is the case I hope the Minister will rectify it. I know that while the Government has insisted upon private employers paying the 1931 rates of wages the same principle does not apply universally to the Defence Force. There are warrant officers in this country receiving the same pay that ser-geant-instructors received during the depression period. They are not receiving the 1931 rates and actualh they are being paid at a lower rate than that for the rank which they hold. That was the case a few months ago and if it is the case today I hope the Minister will set about rectifying it. These men are only a small body and have no voice politically, blit they are very loyal and if they are being imposed upon it is up to the Minister to put the matter right”