EX-SERVICEMEN ASS FOR GOVERNMENT POLICY

Chronicle (Levin), 1 May 1947, Page 6

EX-SERVICEMEN ASS FOR GOVERNMENT POLICY

AUCKLAND, April 30. A decision to ask the Prime Alinister for a stateuient of Government policy on the employment in State Dcpartments of ratings discharged from the Eoyal New Zealand Navy following the recent strike, was made at a meeting of representatives of various exservicemen 's associations in Auckland to-uiglit. Mr. II. Ball, president of the Ex-Koyal Navalmen's Association, presided and representatives of the- Returned Services' Association, Second N.Z.E.F. Association, Navalmen's Association, Air Force Association, Home Servicemen 's Association and a delegate from the discharged: sailors, attended. / Reports that Government departments, notably the Post and Telograpli Department, were denying former naval ratings employment, were discussed. Representatives said tlieir organisations would in no way contemplate any move which miglit undermine the discipJine of the armed forces but they deplored the reported victimisation in eivilian employment. After a long discussion in committee, duriug which representatives sought to ascertain the autliority responsible for issuing the assumed edict barrrng discharged sailors from Government employment, the following resolution, to be sent to the Prime Minister, was carried unanimously: — "Without discussing the mcrits of the action of4lthe discharged ratings while in the service, we do seek a stateuient of Government policy in respect to their employment as civilians by State Departments. " The meeting decided that further action should be deferred until the Prime Minister 's reply was received and considered. It was stated that only the Government could employ naval telegrapliists in the capaeity for which they liad been trained. If the Post and Telegrapli Department would not employ these men they were being denied 9. living by the country they had scrved.