APPEAL FOR MAN OVERSEAS

Southland Times, Issue 24838, 2 September 1942, Page 4

APPEAL FOR MAN OVERSEAS

RELEASE FROM ARMY SOUGHT An unusual case came before the Southland Armed Forces Appeal Board at its sitting in Invercargill yesterday. It was an appeal to the board to recommend the Army authorities to release a soldier now serving with the New Zealand forces in Egypt so that he could return to New Zealand to supervise the management of three farms in the Queenstown district. The appeal was made by Mrs W. S. Reid, widow, of Arrowtown, and the soldier on whose behalf it was made was her son, John Gourlay Reid. The board decided not to recommend the soldier s Mr j. W. Hinchey, secretary of the board, said that the reservist had volunteered for service. His father, who had since died, had appealed. The appeal was twice allowed, but eventually it was decided that the reservist should be permitted to enter the Army. After the father died on April 3, 1942, the board/was asked to recommend the reservist’s release from the Army. This the board had declined to do. When the board was asked to reconsider its decision it was decided that the case should be taken at a public hearing so that the facts could be ventilated. Evidence in support of the appeal was given by James William Miller, retired farmer, of Queenstown. He said that the three properties were Glenpanel, Miller’s Brook and Branch’s run. It was impossible to get a man with sufficient knowledge and ability to manage the properties and Mrs Reid could not do so. NO SUITABLE MAN Mr Hinchey: This appeal means taking a man out of the front line in Egypt. Don’t you think it would be possible to get a man in New Zealand capable or managing the properties? The witness: I don’t know of anyone. . . Has an effort been made? —lnquiries have been made round about Queenstown and in other parts, but it is very difficult to get farm labour. I do not know personally of anyone capable of managing the properties. Could you not do it yourself?—No. The witness added that two of the properties were deteriorating because of lack of management. Mr Hinchey: Would it not be true to say that most farm properties in New Zealand are not in such good order as they were three years ago?—Yes. What experience has this young man had as a farm manager?—He was submanager under his father. What about his younger brother? — He is a delicate boy. He has been graded II by the doctors?—He cannot carry heavy loads and after a heavy day’s work he cannot eat his meals. That shows a certain weakness. Mr D. W. Stalker (a member of the board): Are we to understand that only a person familiar with the district is capable of managing these properties? —Yes. And you cannot find such a man?— That is so. After retiring to consider its decision the board announced that it could not make the recommendation as requested and advised the appellant to appeal to the Primary Production Council for the necessary labour.