EXEMPTIONS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 122, 26 May 1942, Page 6

EXEMPTIONS

FROM HOME GUARD "EXCEPTIONAL CASES ONLY" U'A.> WELLINGTON, this day. When the first of the appeals against calling up for service with the Home Guard were being heard hy the Manpower Committee yesterday, it was Indicated that only in exceptional cases would exemption be granted. The need lor having every man in New Zealand trained was stressed by the chairman. The position governing appeals was set out in the following statement: "The National Service Department advises in respect to the ending Lip of men for'homo Guard service that tlie army will endeavour to carry out the necessa>"' training with a.- liM'e inconvenience as possible to ernnj iyers and employees. It is printed out that there are few occupations, even in essential industries, which would prevent a person carrying out at least a minimum period of 24 hours of training in each month. In these circumstances the making of an appeal should be necessary only in exceptional cases."

During the hearing of the appeals the point was raised about the long hours being worked, to which it was explained that provision was being made to have training carried out according to circumstances. The main thing was that all men possible should have some training. A matter of six hours a week in that direction was regarded as the time that could well be put in by most men.