MAN POWER COMMITTEE

Evening Star, Issue 24285, 28 August 1942, Page 2

MAN POWER COMMITTEE

FURTHER APPEALS HEARD The Industrial Han Power Committee — Messrs M. W. Grantham (chairman), S. M. Sparrow, and H. H. Giliard—heard several appeals yesterday against directions of the district man power officer, Mr E. A. Selmau.

Objection was raised by Messrs Williamson Jeffery Ltd. to the direction of an employee, Joan Edith Bruce, to take employment at the Seacliff Mental Hospital.—Mr F. Jackson, acting manager of tho firm, said that the work being done by his company was necessary for the carrying on of the war effort, and that Miss Bruce was particularly suited for the work she was now performing.—The appeal was allowed; Messrs W. Gregg and Co. Ltd. appealed against the direction of an employee, Mary Firman, to take employment at the Seacliff Mental Hospital.—Mr C. Baker, managing director of the firm, said that Miss Firman had specialised knowledge and experience, and it would be almost impossible to replace her. —Medical evidence was produced to show that the employee was not able to undertake strenuous work.—The appeal was allowed, but the man power officer is to consider the question of directing Miss Firman into suitable essential work.

George Ronald Clayton, formerly an engineer employed by the Dunedin City Transport Department, appealed against being directed to work for the Stevenson and Cook Engineering Company Ltd. Clayton stated that at the time of being directed to his new employment ho had been negotiating for an engagement with the Otago Iron Rolling Mills Company Ltd.—Mr A, J. Rice (secretary of the Engineers’ Union) stated that the union considered Clayton’s special qualifications could be used to good advantage in the iron rolling mills, while the work to which he had been directed could be undertaken by a less qualified man.—Mr A. Smellie, managing director of the Otago Iron Rolling Mills, said that his company required a man of Clayton’s qualifications immediately for urgent essential work. — The appeal was allowed. Robert Lunam Russell appealed against refusal of permission to resign from the Post and Telegraph Department. Mr F. J, D. Rolfe appeared for the appellant.—lt was stated that Russell was 57 years of age. He had been employed by the department for 30 years, and for the past 22 years had been a line foreman. During the last four years he had found the work too strenuous, and had accordingly negotiated for the purchase of a farm. He had tendered lus resignation to the department before lie was aware of the new regulations. —The appeal was allowed.

Messrs J. Hendry and Son Lid. appealed against the direction of an employee, Hughina May Garnett, to employment at the Seaeliff Mental Hospital.—Mr G. Hendry, proprietor of the firm, said that the employee was difficult to replace, owing to the long period required to train another up to the required standard of efficiency. Great difficulties were being experienced owing to staff depletion.—The decision was held over till September 21. An appeal by John Keid Wilson, managing director of Andrew Sharpe Ltd., Tawanui, against a decision to allow an employee, Andrew John Thomas Miller, to terminate his employment subject to his remaining in the sawmilling industry, was disallowed.

The committee has allowed the appeal of Herbert Swanson Anderson and his employer, A. Si McConnachie, against Anderson’s being directed into service with the Dunedin Metropolitan Fire Board. This appeal was heard on the first day of the present sitting.