EMPLOYMENT AND ENLISTMENT.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 132, 14 January 1916, Page 2

EMPLOYMENT AND ENLISTMENT.

Local Authorities' Action. At the meeting of the i'uakau Town Board on Tuesday list the question as to the stand the board sbould take in regard to the employment of single men eligible for military service was brought iurward by the chairman, Mr Dynes Fulton, and after discussion a unanimous decision was arrived at to dipaense with any young men in the Board's service win came under the "eligible" category. It was stated that only one of the Board's employees would be effected by the decision, it was further agreed not to accept stone Bpawliog tenders from "eligibles." Hi2 clerk, Mr A H Tapper, took the opportunity of drawing attention to what are apparently redtape methods of control adopted by the Drfenca Department. He stated that although he had served for twelve yearn in the volunteer forces of the Dominion and had gained his Majir's proficiency in 1909, his repeated applications for consideration in the list of officers leaving with the Dominion forces had been igncred. He bad approached both the Pinne minister and Colonel Hume on the matter, but without satisfaction. He was only a year over the military age, but still t'.e Government were accepting men years in excess of the limit. He had seen service in South Africa and after stulying'Jind passing all th 3 examinations in rotation up to a Major, he did not feel inclined to join the forces as a ranker.

The Manukau County Council also dealt with the enlistment problem at their meeting on luesday. It will be remembered that at the December meeting it was suggested that though aliens were being employed on Government works within the County boundary yet there was no reason wby the County sbould employ them or even men lit and eligible to serve their country. Un Tuesday the County Foreman submittej his report on the matter, as follows:—"This Council's position is fairly free and bas been so, as far asjpossibl?, as a careful eye has been kept oa this matter since the war broke out. All the Council's permanent men are married men with dependants, one a widower with cbilfren, three casual men are over age and have been rejected. There are several cases where contractro3 are employing young men as drivers, both on contract and on day work. But are these men under the County's control? As to aliens, there is one man employed in the Wairca riding who cliiids to be a Serb by birtb and a naturalised British subject. He bas filled in his registration paper as being willing to serve. He is a ratepayer and a good worker. We are employing single men casually who have been accepted for service and are waiting to be called up."—The report was received, councilors expressing approval of the foreman's policy.