STAFF SHORTAGE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 14, 13 October 1942, Page 6

STAFF SHORTAGE

TOKANUI HOSPITAL

MKN WITH A GR.IKV*\XCI<:

The appeals of two members! of the stall' of the Tokanui Mental Hospital for release from their present employment were dismissed by the Manpower Industrial Committee at a sitting in Hamilton. The men, engaged in work in the, wards at the hospital, appealed on the ground that their position at the institution was now intolerable through the promotion over them of two junior members of the staff. One of the -appellants, H. S. Conn, in lengthy evidence, criticised the method of appointment of two men at the institution and expressed the desire that the committee release him from his position at Tokanui so that he could go in for market, gardening. The appeal of the other appellant, J. B. Barclay, was lodged on similar grounds. The procedure followed in the promotion of members of the staff was outlined by the mpdical superintendent, Dr. G. M. To till, who explained that the promoted men had qualified for the position by examination. One of the appellants had sat for this examination and failed'. and ; the other had not sat for the examination. Evidence of Staff Depletion Mr L. McKinnon, Manpower Officer, remarked that when junior officers were appointed to certain positions in the service there was bound to be some 1 heartburning. The position in regard to promotion in the. Public Service was on merit. There was a definite shortage of the staff at. Tokanui and it was because of this that the appeals of the men were being opposed. Dr. Tothill told, the committee that the institution had lost 2(5 out of a staff of 08, approximately 40 pei' cent. It was impossible to secure men at the present time and the department was endeavouring to get men out of the army. The staff was working ."jli hours a week and these would have to be increased unless they could secure more men. The -difficulties at the hospital had been greatly magnified. It was remarked by a member that the normal procedure had- been followed in the appointment's at the hospital. When a man was qualified he securcd the position. The pity of it was that these men (the appellants) were making this disturbance in war time.