MILITARY SERVICE.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 March 1917, Page 7

MILITARY SERVICE.

CABLE OPERATORS EXEMPTED. * I By Telegraph.—Press Association. 1 Wellington, Feb. 28. i A remarkable state of affairs was re- J vealed at yesterday's sitting of the 2 Third Wellington Military Service Board, j when tlie Post and Telegraph Depart- i ment appealed on behalf of twelve cable J operators employed by the Eastern Cable * Company at the Wakapunka station, 4 near Nelson. The twelve men, forming ' the whole stall' of the station, had all i eniisted voluntarily, and the Department * represented that if they were allowed to i go into camp, the station would have to be closed, and Now Zealand's cable com- J numication with the rqst of the world , would be seriously curtailed. J The representative of the Department said the men had all'enlisted because. * they did not wish to be conscripted, j Two of them had been picked up in the \ last ballot. The station was open day ; and night, and the twelve operators < formed a minimum stall'. The men could not be replaced, since the training of a cable operator occupied from two to < three years. Ordinary.telegraphists could ' not undertake 'cable work without special training If the twelve men went into * camp the result would be disastrous. < Mr. Mack: Supposing those men in- ' sisted upon leaving Wakapuaka, would the cable service have to be cut off? ' Witness: Yes, that is tlie position. Mr. Mack: And tboy are employees of ■ a private cable company. I think it is high time the Government bad some control. It was explained that the men were quite willing to remain at their work if required to do so, but they objected to being conscripted, and so had volunteered. The Board granted tlie twelve operators leave from military service si*e die, provided they remained in thiir present employment and occupation.