APPEALS HEARD

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 94, 17 October 1940, Page 12

APPEALS HEARD

VARIETY OF CLAIMS

SPECIAL GROUPS

The policy to be followed by manpower committees in dealing with appeals by men drawn in the recent ballot for Territorial service in New Zealand or by their employers is already clear in part from decisions made by the Wellington committee. A number of cases have already been dealt with by the committee which sat yesterday afternoon. Those present were Mr. Martin . Luckie (chairman), Mr. R. Cable, and Mr. E. E. Canham,

Appeals made by the employers of certain groups of workers whose removal from their civilian occupations is considered not in the public interest have been adjourned sine die. Men dealt with in this way so far comprise ten men engaged in aircraft production, eight ministers of religion, four fire brigadesmen, and sixteen police constables. Twelve ships' officers, engineers, and radio operators have received similar treatment.

So far the appeals of 24 students who are preparing for examinations to be held later in the year have been disposed of. Their calling up has been postponed to November 20 in the case of those sitting degree or accountancy examinations, and to December 20 in the case of those sitting the matriculation examination. The appeal of one student who was to have sat for an examination, but who has since been notified that he has been granted a pass under the accrediting system, was dismissed.

The appeals of seven men who have enlisted for service with the Air Force were dismissed sine die under an arrangement whereby if the Air Force does not accept the men concerned they will at once be available for Territorial service.

SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS. On the grounds that there .is . a shortage of teachers the Wellington Education Board asked for postponement in the case of night primary school teachers. These appeals were dismissed subject to the condition that She teachers will not be called up before December 20, when the school year will have concluded. In support of its appeal on behalf of the teachers the board submitted a statement to .the effect that at the beginning of next year the position would be considerably alleviated by the graduation of student teachers from the Training College and by the readiness of probationary teachers for promotion to assistants' positions. R. Hannah and Co. appealed on behalf of six employees regarded by the company as essential if production in their boot factory is to be maintained. In a supporting statement the company said the men concerned were key.men of specialised skill, whose removal would materially slow down the work of the factory. After pointing out that

the factory was engaged in the production of Army, industrial, and children's footwear the statement continued: "We fully appreciate that ourcountry is at war and will not call upon the Man-power Committee for any more consideration than we can possibly help."

A representative of Hannah and Co. who appeared in support of the appeals said that at a pinch the company could do without two of the men concerned, but the others were regarded as essential.

The committee decided to dismiss the appeals of the two men referred to, to adjourn the appeals, regarding two clickers for six months and that of another man for three months. The appeal relating to the sixth man, a clicker, who has been found temporarily unfit was adjourned sine die. BUILDING CONTRACTOR. An appeal by a man who' described himself as a building contractor and who appeared in psrson was dismissed. He said he was single and without dependants and that he was in business on his own account. He was appealing on the grounds of hardship because of the effect.on his business if he was called up. He was 35 years of age and had been in business. for five years.

The appellant read a prepared statement in which he said his calling up would result in loss of business while he was in camp and for a short period after his return. Also during the period he would have to dismiss all labour, and the contract on which he was engaged would have to be suspended during his absence. Materials on the building site and work under construction would remain exposed to weather conditions which would be detrimental to the building.

Questioned by the chairman the appellant said his objection to serving was purely business reasons. If there was some way he could serve without being taken away from Wellington he would be only too pleased to do so.

The chairman asked the appellant if he understood that he was only being called upon to do three months' military training for the defence of New Zealand.

In answer to a further question by the chairman the appellant said he was employing only one man at the present time. He was about to engage more labour, but had waited pending the decision of the committee.

Questioned by Mr. Cable, the appellant said it would be impossible for him to finish his present contract under five months.

The chairman: Couldn't you get another carpenter to carry on for you for three months?

Appellant: That would be very hard to do at the present time.

The chairman: Suppose you were taken ill and couldn't get about for two or three months?

Appellant: The job would have to close down. It would affect me financially.

The chairman: Everybody is affected financially.

Mr. Luckie said that none of the reasons the appellant had advanced would excuse him finally from service. Would it not be better for him to get his military service over, and have it behind him?

Questioned further, the appellant said he was carrying out the contract he had referred to for himself on a section of land he had bought six months ago. It was a building speculation. Before retiring the appellant said he had done four years' Territorial service 15 years ago.