MILITARY SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 23, 22 October 1942, Page 6

MILITARY SERVICE

Careful Scrutiny Of All Postponements

EXEMPTED SINGLE MEN

‘‘The attention of appeal boards has been drawn to the importance of a careful scrutiny of ail postponements of military service to ensure that meu called in the earlier ballots are as far as possible released for military duty in priority to married men with children called in the later ballots,” said the Prime Minister. Mr. Fraser, when giving a written reply to a question by Mr. Roy (Opposition, Clutha). Mr. Roy had asked whether the Prime Minister would have a complete review of all single men fit for overseas service, but who had. been exempt, with a view to their places being taken by married men with families.

The Prime Minister said that determination on appeals depended largely on conditions existing from time to time, including the demands on primary and secondary industries for war supplies and essential civil requirements . While it was appreciated that there should be the maximum release of single men in priority to married men, it would not be possible even under the beet of conditions to defer the calling-up of married men till all single men had been posted. There were many single men employed ou war and other very essential work who could not be effectively replaced from among, the married men.