MEN STATE THEIR CASE

Chronicle (Levin), 18 September 1946, Page 6

MEN STATE THEIR CASE

AUCKLAND, Sept. 17. Although essential serviccs were j niaintained at tlie thrce Air Force 'staiions in Auckland and tliere was no

disorder, the stoppage of work was marked by a liumber of incidents requiring lactful haiidling. This was particularlv marked at Whenuapai, where the largest iiinnber of men was concenied and where the problem oi meals brought the tlireat of a diflicult sit nation at oue stage. Tlie airmen at Whenuapai were advised several tnnes during the day by diflereut senior oflicers to resunie duty. The re.-ponse was negligible. .Most serviccs vital to thc fuuctioiiiug of the statiou were inanued at all I stations. Tliese included the signals, flying control, hospilai and meteorological services, 'biit at Whenuapai tlie crasli-tender crew did not tuni out and ihe vehicle was maaned by a volunteer crew under the lireniaster. A spokesinau of the men said tonight that ihe ainuen were rjuite deterniiiieil to reniain on strike until tliey were given a 4(>-hour week. "The men feel tliey liave been coping with the work ot Ihe statiou on a 40-hour week, quite satisfactorilv up Lill now and see no reasoii why tliey shotild have to begin workiug on Saturdav nioniings," lie said. " We liave no objection to colour hoisting and ceremontal drill paradeson [iriiiciple, but feel it is unfair that tlie time taken uji during Ihe week with tliese activities sliouhl be made up with Satunlay morning duty. We would far rather sacrifice tlie Wednesday sjiorts period for a l'ree weekend. iSaturday nioniing work was a ueedless iinposition on tlie men." the spokesinan conlinued, "as all that was to be done by the majorily was cleaniug up for inspectiou. A speciul detail of ainuen liad in the ; pasf carried on very successfullv with nll the maintenance work whicli was required to b.e done on Saturdn vs. "