AUCKLAND WATERSIDE WORKERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 201, 26 August 1943, Page 4

AUCKLAND WATERSIDE WORKERS

MOBILISATION DEFERRED (P A.) Auckland, Aug. 25. Instructions haw: been received by the Army, following action taken in Wellington, to defer mobilisation of a group of Auckland union waterside workers who had been njude available for service and who were due io report for duty at lhe end of t£is month. It is understood the instruction was that the mobilisation of the men should be deferred in the meantime.” Appeals in respect of the men, lodged by the Auckland Waterfront Control Commission, were heard by the. Armed Forces Appeal Board early in June, when it was decided that 75 Category A men should be made available for the forces. This number was later reduced to 61 by reason of altered medical gradings and further evidence regarding the domestic responsibilities of the men. On June 15 the board decided that 18 of the men should be made available immediately, 24 on August 15 and 13 on October 15. Two men were to enter camp on September 1, and one was reboarded. The remaining three cases were adjourned sine die on the personal appeals of the men.

The instruction for the deferment of mobilisation affects men who were made available to immediate service but who had not yet entered camp and those who were to have gone in this month. It is not known whether any instruction has been received concerning the rest of the reservists.

When approached the Appeals Di vision of the National Service Department had no comment to offer other than it had acted on instructions received from the Director of National Services.