JOINS WATERSIDERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 61, 13 March 1942, Page 4

JOINS WATERSIDERS

SCRIMGEOUR’S DECISION “SECOND STRING TO BOW” Wellington. March 12. Stating that he wished to have a second siring to his bow should it become necessary Mr. G. Scrimgeour, Controller of Commercial Broadcasting, said in a telephone conversation to Auckland that he had applied for membership of the Auckland Watersiders’ Union. The appliration was made about ten days ago. up to Lost, night Mi. Scrimgeour had not received the union’s decision. “1 sought.’entry into the union because at the time I made my application it appeared to me that 1 might need something to fall ba< k upon,’ said Mr. Scrimgeour. “If my application is favourably received it does not mean that 1 will necessarily take advantage of it right away, but there is nothing like being prepared. “At the time of making my application I understood that there was a suggestion of amalgamating the two broadcasting services, and such a move might relieve mo of my post as Controller of Commercial Broadcasting." said Mr. Scrimgeour. “I also understood that Professor J. Shelley. Director of Broadcasting would take charge of the amalgamated services, and rather than take a secondary position in that event I would prefer to select my own avenue of service." APPLICATION ACCEPTED Auckland. March 12. Mr. Scrimgeour had been accepted as a member of lhe Auckland Waterside Workers’ Union, the president Mr. FI. Barnes, stated to-day. “Our organisation, in common with most, other working- lass organisations throughout, the country, has been agitating for lhe return of the ‘Man in the Street’ session and Mr. Scrimgeour’s other radio activities." added Mr. Barnes. “Wo have not. had much success. We then received Mr. Scrimgeour’s application for membership. It. was favourably considered and accepted." •’CLOSED” UNIOL MR. WEBB’S CRITICISM Wellington, March 12. Commenting to-day on the admission of Mr. Scrimgeour into the Waterside Workers’ Union at Auckland. the Minister of Labour (Mr. Webb) said that the matter was being looked into, and the question as to whether the union would bp allowed to continue as a “closed" union would be considered. Mr. Webb expressed surprise that the union could see fit to block hundreds of applications by men resident in Auckland with young families, who had for years endeavoured to join the union in order to obtain work on lhe waterfront, along with many men called “seagulls," who stood by and helped in rush periods to get the ships turned round quickly, but who could not gain admittance to the union. “These men are surely more entitled to be admitted than a highsalaried officer of the Broadcasting Service," added Mr. Webb. Co-oniination of Services. With the object of releasing radio technicians who are urgently required for war work, the National Broadcasting Service and the Commercial Service are to he co-ordin-ated, the Minister in Charge of Broadcasting (Mr. Wilson) slated last December. The Minister said that the Government had agreed to lhe principle of co-ordination, hut the action lo be taken would be carried through without injuriously affecting the interests of listeners, though, under present circunistancps. a curtailment of sessions was probable. The Minister added that, the distinctive features of the programmes of the two services wold be maintained, but. co-ordination would free not only a number of technicians, but. would effect a considerable saving on the admin Istralixand engineer!ng sides.