In the News

Southland Times, Issue 24840, 4 September 1942, Page 4

In the News

Not a Precedent

“Because the board has agreed to accept a sworn statement in this case it must not be presumed that the board will always be prepared to do this,” said Mr E. H. Murney, chairman of the Southland Armed Forces Appeal Board, at a sitting of the board yesterday when there was no appearance of a reservist to support his appeal. Mr N. L. Watson, who appeared for the reservist, said his client was rather indifferent to the fate of his appeal. He was a solo farmer with 328 acres, on which he had 750 ewes. If he had to go to camp he would sell off the stock and abandon the farm. He was a married man with three children. The appeal was adjourned sine die. “When this case comes up for review we will expect the reservist to make an appearance,” Mr Murney said. “Why Blame Watersiders?” “Why blame the watersider? I object to the watersider being blamed for something which cannot be proved against him,” said Mr P. L. Hodge, when the pillaging of cargo from ships was being discussed yesterday by the Invercargill Chamber of Commerce. “The pillaging might take place in the goods shed, in the railway truck, in the packers’ room or at the port of shipment. It might happen anywhere, but why single out any particular class if nothing can be proved?” A Rude Awakening

During combined operational man-' oeuvres between armoured fighting vehicle units and Home Guard units in the Waipahi district one Home Guardsman received a rude awakening and was given a grim lesson that the modem battlefield is no place to sleep. The man was attached to a Home Guard unit which had as its objective the ambushing of tanks and Bren-gun carriers, and during" the manoeuvres he was in a camouflaged position likely to be used by advancing tanks. The heat of the midday sun proved too much for him, however, and he fell asleep. He was rudely awakened soon after by the roar of a modem tank rumbling past within a foot or two of where he was lying. The tank was so close to him that it ran over his rifle, which was lying beside him, and smashed it completely. For the rest of the day he lost his inclination to sleep.

Good Family Record “It is a good family record, but the reservist is not entitled to any credit for that,” said Mr J. W. Hinchey, secretary of the Southland Armed Forces Appeal Board,, at a sitting of the board yesterday when referring to the case of an appellant engaged in farming. The appellant said the farm, did not occupy his whole time and that he found employment in the freezing works in the season. He had two brothers in Egypt, one in camp in New Zealand and one in the Air Force. The chairman, Mr E. H. Murney, said that because of the war record of the reservist’s family and the fact that the reservist himself was doing quite useful work, the appeal would be adjourned sine die.

Survey of Man-Power For a fairly long period a survey has been in hand of the man power and supply requirements of the Armed Forces, primary and secondary industries and essential civilian needs. The Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, states that this survey should shortly be completed and it will show what the total war effort can be and what adjustments are necessary to achieve it. “We know it will require further sacrifices and greater effort and we know the people will respond, he said.' “There will be no restrictions or cuts that can be avoided, but where a< diversion of man-power or raw materials or machinery from less essential production will strengthen the war effort, it will be made. Every man must be just where his country needs him most.” > ■

Doctor’s Appeal The appeal of Dr Eric M. Elder, of Tuatapere, against being called up for service with the armed forces was granted by the Southland Armed Forces Appeal Board at a sitting in Invercargill yesterday. The hoard considered that Dr Elder’s services were indispensible to the district. The appellant said he was the only doctor in the Tuatapere district. He had been practising there since December 1938. The population of the district was between 2000 and 3000 and there were 15 sawmills. The nearest hospital was at Riverton, more than 30 miles away, and there was not another doctor within 20 miles. He was medical officer of the local Home Guard and also of the E.P.S. organization. The National Medical Committee supported his appeal. Invercargill Dancer Conspicuous success was scored at the Ashburton competitions this week by Betty Thompson, daughter of Mr and Mrs L. C. Thompson, of Esk street, Invercargill. She won the Canterbury championship seann truibhais under 13, skipping dance under 12, sword dance under 14 and Highland fling under 12. She was second in the seann truibhais under 12, and was recalled in the sailor’s hornpipe under 14.