Watersiders Annoyed At Omission Of Mills

Chronicle (Levin), 1 February 1949, Page 6

Watersiders Annoyed At Omission Of Mills

Press Association H

(Per

DUNEDIN, Jan. 31. Holding the view that G. H. Mills, the Otago wicket-kefeper, was excludea from the New Zealand cricket team for England because he is a waterside worlcer, 260 of his fellow members' ot the Dunedin Waterside Workers' Unio.n held a stopworlc meeting this morning to diseuss the question. 'The meeting lasted a quarter of an hpur and a resolution was adopted protesting strongly against Mills not -being selected. The resolution, which was moved by Mr. S. B. Maedonald (secretary of the Union), was carried Unanimously. Mr. Maedonald told a reporter after the meeting, which was attended by the full membership of the iinion, that the waterside workers were at a loss to uuderstand wliy Mills was not selected. ' ' The most generally accepted rcason is because Mills is a waterside worker, " Mr. Macddnakl said. More drastic actiou thau a resolution of protest was* urged by niany "members of the union, Said Mr. Mac donald, aud had hc_ upt intervened it appeared likely, at one' ( ' stage . of the meeting, tliut the men would have shown their disapproval by refusing-to work for half a day. The waterside workers in Dunedin were indignant about the treatment of Mills and -had the team for England been ieavmg from Dunedin members of the union ! vvould certainly not have loaded the I teain's luggage, said Mr. Maedonald.