APPEALS FOR 75 WATERSIDERS

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23964, 3 June 1943, Page 4

APPEALS FOR 75 WATERSIDERS

CASES DISMISSED DECISION OF AUCKLAND BOARD (P.A.) AUCKLAND, June 2. Appeals lodged by the Auckland Waterfront Control Commission for 75 union waterside workers who were category A for military purposes were dismissed by the No. 2 (Auckland*Armed Forces Appeal Board. In all,' .195 cases concerning watersiders were before the board, the remainder being below category A. The board decided that all of the men whose appeals had been dismissed should be made available for service in the next four months. There are a number of personal appeals yet to be heard. On the suggestion of the Crown representative (Mr L. N. Harris), it was agreed to deal with category A men only, and to adjourn the other appeals sine die. The Acting-Waterfront Controller (Mr W. J. Cuthbert) emphasised the need for retaining an adequate supply of labour on the wharves to ensure a rapid turn round of vessels. He said that at March 31 there were 1649 men on the union’s register, A grade men (for wharf purposes) ’ totalled 1426, and B grade 223. Mr Cuthbert said that the average working hours for the six months up to March 31 were 59.78 a week for A grade men, and 53.16 for B grade. Comment on criticism levelled at waterside workers was made by Mr Harold Barnes, president of the union. Witness also said that the union had accepted all the men it considered suitable for the work, and had N also taken some who would not have been taken in normal times. Some of the applicants were about 66 years of age. The chairman (Mr I. J. Goldstine) expressed the view that while there was a labour shortage, which was hindering the quick turn round of ships, it would be better to employ some men who might not be as quick as others. There must be some branches of the work they could do. Other industries were carrying staffs which were not as efficient as those existing before the war. Mr Barnes said that the union had already been criticised regarding the work done. Mr Goldstine: Do you think it is more important to avoid criticism than to admit these men and help deal with the vessels? Mr Barnes repeated that the union had been made a “chopping block." In making its decision, the board said that, in line with other Industries, the waterfront industry must contribute its quota of category A men to the Army. The board proposed to make some of the category A men available forthwith, a further num,her in two months, and the balance in four months from now. The board was aware that the Army required as many fit men as possible, and was taking that into consideration in determihirig its policy. Next week the board intended to hear any personal appeals by watersiders, after which it would determine the order in which men would be released, and the dates on which they would be made available. In that respect a reservist’s family obligations would be taken into account.