EFFECT OF BALLOT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20917, 17 October 1942, Page 4

EFFECT OF BALLOT

FARMING AND' INDUSTRY APPEALS IN GISBORNE The effect on industry of the recent draw-off of more man-power as a result of the latest' ballot is being felt very strongly in the Gisborne district. This 'fact has'been stressed during the past few days at sittings of the Gisborne Armed Forces Appeal Board, when appeals against the general service of men called in the ballot have been heard. The appellants have emphasised the importance of retaining a limited staff in order to carry on their respective businesses, industries and farms, and that any further depletion of their staffs might have ah adverse effect on production. Submitting evidence in several farming cases at yesterday’s' sitting of the appeal board, Mr. W. G. 1 Sherratt, chairman of the East Coast Primary Production Council, said that he had made a survey 'of the farm' labour situation in the Gisborne district last .June, and found ■ that approximately one-third of the' farm and station employees were serving with- the armed forces. Mr. Sherratt-was of the opinion that production could not be maintained' satisfactorily with so few farmers and employees remaining.

A taxi proprietor and ■ school conveyance contractor. R.- N.- Porter, appealed on his own behalf against general service.—The appeal was dismissed. the reservist not to be called before January 31. The Waiapu Hospital Board appealed against the general service of H. D. Gardner, chemist. —The appeal was adjourned sine die. the reservist to remain in the’ medical section of the E.P.S. The Matakaoa County Commissioner, Mr. C H. Bull (Mr. L. C. Parker) and M. E~. Grace (Mr: F. W. Nolan) appealed against the general service of F. A: R. Grace, roadman'. —A sine die adjournment was recommended; the reservist to stay in the Home Guard. Four general service appeals were lodged by W. Clark iri respect of R. M. Pearse, farm manager; W. G. Schultz, farmhand, F. M'. Pitcher; shepherd; and H. C. Beets, farmhand. Supporting the" appeals, Mr. W: G. Sherratt,’ chairman of the East Coast Primary Production Coun'cil, 1 said that Pearse was required to manage an” 8000-acre property and the other three reservists'were wanted on a 33,'713-acre propertycarrying 40.000 sheep and 6000 head of cattle. Last season 1035 bales of wool were produced.—The appeals for Pearse, Pitcher and Beets Were 1 ' adjourned sine die, the reservists to serve in the Home Guard, while Schultz’s case was" dismissed, the reservist not to be called before January 31. The East Coast Commissioner appealed for the exemption from general service of 1 Hi G. Hall, station manager, and D. McL. Campbell; farm manager. Evidence was submitted by H. Symes.—A sine die adjournment, the- reservist to stay in the Home Guard, was recommended in Hall’s case, while the decision in Campbell’s case was reserved. H. J. Masemann appealed against the general service of S. L. Wilkinson,motor mechanic, who appealed on his own behalf on the grounds; of -undue hardship. Mr. D. E. Chrisp supported both appeals. The chairman of the Man-power Utilisation Committee, V. G. Walker, submitted supporting evidence. —The appeal was adjourned ’ sine die. the. reservist to stay in'-the L.O.C.M'.T. .Company. j. A. A. Watts; farmer, lodged a personal appeal against general service. The’ appeal was ; supported -by Mr. H. D. Chrisp.—The board recommended a sine die, adjournment, the reservist -to-stay in”the~‘E:P.S.