THE RAILWAY BALLOT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3093, 25 May 1917, Page 5

THE RAILWAY BALLOT

(To the -Editor.)

'Sir,—After reading the statement Tβ above in to-day'a Dominion, I am more convinced than, ever that the railway tallot was unnecessary. The position as I 6ee it is that several hundred railwaymen have been drawn in the National Service Ballots, and tbo Railway Department, in consequence of the-reduced train services, has decided to -release 150 of these men. Why cannot the Railway Department release the first 150 men drawn, commencing with* No. 1 National Service Ballot? If'amongst these 150 men there are, say, ten riien who are regarded as indispensable, then the next ten men as already drawn ehonld be released.

The situation, created by the railway ballot is that Porter Brown and Shunter Smith, of Now Plymouth, drawn several months ago in No. 1 ballot, are still exempt, Whereas Porter Jones and Shnnter "White, of New Plymouth (tho names are assumed in each case), drawn in No. 5 ballot a few weeks ago, and now drawn in tho railway ballot, are called up to go into camp. Now, the National Service Ballot was instituted expressly Jo decide the order'in which men should »e MIM up, and any balloting of balloted won hy the Bailwsy Department phoiild not h? pnrmHten , . Tho head officials should release the men ivlio can bo spared in the ordor of the National Seryice drawing-, and apply ■ for exemption in open court for tho rest.—l am, etc., FOETUNAE BELLI. ' Palmerefon North, May 23, 191 V.