ANOTHER BALLOT IN THE OFFING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 63, 10 June 1942, Page 4

ANOTHER BALLOT IN THE OFFING

THE Minister of Manpower has announced the immediate preparation for a further ballot for married men between the ages 32, 33 and 34 years (both inclusive). There is considerable surprise at the restricted nature of this new age group which is not anticipated to yield half the eligible number of men provided by past ballots. However we can sense a certain wisdom in the official application of the soft pedal in connection with any fresh claims upon civilian manpower at this moment. It would be complete folly to draw off any further large quotas of men from industry, at a time when the country is almost top-heavy with the burden of military responsibility. It would therefore appear to be the Wisest course to absorb men slowly in order to allow for readjustment and consolidation which process is becoming more and more difficult as ballots are released. Whether or not the authorities will be satisfied with this last list, remains to be seen, but it would appear that the new concentration on the Home Guard, its arms and equipment by the military, means intensified training for that bocly, if not actual military control throughout. Such a movement would be preferable to the present system of piling men into half constructed camps and thereby inviting sickness and epidemics. We feel in all honesty that the average Home Guardsman will train with all the pride and application of a volunteer if given the chance, and an intensification of his duties under direct military supervision would possibly bring even better results than camp or semi-camp life and the continual bleeding of industry.