HOME GUARD PARADES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 60, 30 March 1943, Page 3

HOME GUARD PARADES

EXEMPTION OF MINERS

Complaints of the exemption of miners as well as •waterside and freezing workers: from Home Guard parades;, again came before the Auckland Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union at its meeting on March 17. The Wailii branch of the Union wrote stating that the exemption from prosecution of miners not doing Home Guard duty had aroused much indignation. Miners, it was stated, worked under the 40 hour week system and. were allowed reasonable latitude in regard to shifts. Farmers who Avorkcd 70 to 80 hours a week were not given the same consideration. They did not seek exemption from Home Guard duty, but they resented this discrimination. When farmers had been allowed leave of absence to do seasonal work it was granted on condition that they made up the time later. The Provincial Secretary (Mr A. E. Robinson), in replying to the. letter. pointed out that, the gold mining industry in Australia and Canada had been suspended; entirely. This made the curious exemption of the industrj r in New Zealand: more extraordinary. 'A letter from the Waikato SubProvincial Executive stated that the exemption from Home Guard duty of waterside and freezing Avorkers, as avcll as miners, was regarded as unsatisfactory. It asked for further action in the matter. Mr A. J. 'Campbell (Waikino) said, that the discrimination was harmful to public morale. Miners had not. been formally granted exemption, but prosecutions that had been under way had been withdrawn. No action was taken in the matter. The letter from the Wailii branch 'was formally received.