ANOTHER 21,000 MARRIED WEN

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 93, 19 August 1942, Page 4

ANOTHER 21,000 MARRIED WEN

. I . n * THE new'ballot announced for September 15th is estimatInclude a class: of 21,000 married men from 35 to 37 years (both inclusive). The accompanying explanation which f followed this announcement makes it clear that the authorities are not unmindful of the terrific strain which the continued ballots are imposing on industry and that certain e steps will be taken this time to safeguard against disloca- ■ tion. It is just as essential to maintain the country's indus- " trial equilibrium as to build up an efficient fighting force ' which will be capable of giving this country £he maximum defence. It must also be borne in mind that the ballots today are eating into an age group which apart from carrying heavy family responsibilities is composed mainly of men who are occupying key positions; have on the main I already experienced two years in the Home Guard, and further are important contributing factors to the Patriotic funds and, all other war appeals which are paraded for public support from time to time. The closeness of the war makes it imperative however that we should concentrate as much as possible upon building up our military strength and there will be no voices raised in criticism of the new demands upon the country's manpower if it can be proved that such a step is necessary and can be undertaken without the risk of collapsing the industrial foundation upon which our war effort is based.