ESSENTIAL SERVICES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24424, 9 October 1940, Page 8

ESSENTIAL SERVICES

MAINTENANCE OF PRODUCTION PROTECTION FOR KEY MEN (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Oct. 8. “The Manpower Committees are fully aware of the necessity of maintaining production and essential services, and all cases of men employed in essential industries are considered individually by the committees, so that, where it appears that production is likely to be adversely affected, Territorial training is postponed until a more suitable time,” said the Minister of National Service (Mr R. Semple) in the House to-day when replying to an urgent question asked by Mr J N. Massey (Opposition. Franklin). “ When the quotas were fixed for the number of men to be called up for Territorial training-in the recent ballot due allowance was made for the fact ■ that a number of men would require to have their training postponed due to the essentia] nature of the employment.” the Minister added. “In fixing the district quotas more liberal allowances were made in rural areas, as it was fully appreciated that, at this time of the year, it would be very difficult to release large numbers of men from our primary industries.” Mr Masscv had asked the Minister for an assurance that, where interruption of production was likely because of a disproportionate number of men having been called up in one particular industry or district, the organisations available for appeal would receive some direction in the matter. He said that, in the recent ballot, 15 key farm workers in one district alone were drawn, and. if they were to be compelled to enter camp during the’ main producing period of the year, when the camps were to 'be held, serious dislocation of production would result.