MILITARY SERVICE.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 May 1917, Page 6

MILITARY SERVICE.

, HEARING of south taranaki I . appeals. The First Wellington Military Service Appeal Board resumed its sittings in the Hawera Courthouse on Friday morning. Tho Kaponga Dairy Company appealed for Francis Coward and Frederick William Bentlev, e.heesemakers, employed by the company. George Death, manager of the Kajionga Dairy Company, deposed that both the appellants were voluntary recruits, and the company desired temporary exemption for them, as they were both expert cbeesemakers. Coward, the Working manager, and Bentley, the first assistant, were employed &t the main factory. There were between 13 and 14 hands employed at the main factory, at which it was essentia! that there shbuld be three skilled men. There were three skilled men employed, and these were Coward, Bentley and am-ther. The company had no other men on tho staff jof teuffieient experience to replace the two expert men who had volunteered.

Mr. Stewart: Is it possible to reorganise tho staff of the company's factories, bo as to relieve the appellants.—l don't think so. '

The witness further stated that since the beginning of the war the company had lost. 20 men, who were either in camp or were on active service, including the general manager. The only way the expert men could be replaced was by taking other expert men from another factory, and this would place the other factory in oxactly the same position as Kaponga was now. Mr. Stewart pointed out that the demand for expert cheesemhkers exceeded the supply; that was common knowledge in Taranaki.

, Captain Walker: llow long do you ask for those men?

Witness: Practically to the end of the war.

Captain Walker contended that the appellants wero soldiers, and the regulations did not contemplate sucli a lengthy leave for men who were already attested soldiers.

Mr. Stewart asked was it not important that the essential industries should be efficiently carried 011?

Captain Walker replied that if the war continued well into another dairy season the question of consolidation or ■the factories would have to he seriously considered, even if it meant that a few of the smaller factories had to "go to the wall."

The chairman: Whatever the previous yiews of the Minister of Defence were his latest pronouncement was emphatically "men before production."

Mr. McLaren said the demand for men for the front was very urgent, and it, was imperative that the war should be won in order to save .their industries.

Witness, in reply to Captain Walker. ?aid he realised that amalgamation among the factories might have to c<-me, but he did not think that this would materially reduce, the number of skilled men required. The total output from the company's factories was 23,712,7781b. of milk for the season, if which the Kaponga factory's output was roughly 13 millions, while the balance was spread equally between the Rowan and Riverlea factories. '• ,

Robert Sounness, general manager of the Ifaponga Dairy Company, stated that in the flush of the season 14 hands were employed at the main factory, whilo at the present time only six were employed. There were only two cxp-rt men employed—Coward and Bcntley—the others were casual hands who had had very little experience. There were no second assistants at the factory at the present time. Mr. Stewart put in a letter from the secretary of the Efficiency Trustees in support of the company's ease. Decision was reserved.

Albert Edward Fowler, dairy fav.ne;'. 'Matajw. whose appeal was before fi > board last February, sgain came be-' fore the board.

'The chairman: Well, have you any further help on the farm?— No. Have you tried to get it —No. I have endeavored to get rid of the farm, but I have not bc?n successful. The only help was from his wife. . The board reserved its decision sine die, provided appellant reports monthly that he is still in the same position. Henry M. Shrimpton, farmer, uu-.nca-mara, who was classified 02 by the Medical Board, had his appeal formally dismissed.

The appeal of Philip Patrick O'Brien, dctiry farmer. Ngaere, the decision of which was reserved from tho Mareli sitting, was recalled.

Appellant said his position was not improved, inasmuch as he had been unable to obtain labor or to make the necessary arrangements to allow him to got away.

In reply to Captain Walker, appellant said he had referred his case to the Efficiency Trustees.

The chairman stated that the report Jiart not yet como to hand. Decision was reserved. TJio appeal of Martin Patrick farm Jiawl, Makalm, which was befen the February sitting, was reconsidero [.

Mr. P. O'Dea, who appeared for tlitf appellant, fcaid that Ford was the only one who was able to properly work' the farm; appellant's father was unable to do heavy and counsel put in a doctor's certificate to that effect.

Appellant said ho was quite willing to go if the board thought he shou'c! So so, but lie knew that if he left it would cause hardship upon those left behiiid k He was the. only one who was able to adequately manage the farm. Decision was reserved.

The appeal of Patrick Edward Gatlaghan, whose ease was before in February, was reconsidered. Appellant said he had referred his ease to the Stratford Efficiency Trustees. Decision was reserved.

The appeal of John James Fcnnell, farmer, Opunake, was recalled. The appeal was before the board in February, when the decision was reserved.

Mr. O'Dea appeared for the appellant, who slated that his position had not. changed since he was before the board in February. He wag still working tho farm, with the assistance of his sister.

The board reserved its decision sine die, so long as appellant reports to the group commander that lie is remaining in his present position. The appeal of Albert Edwin Pethor, dairy farmer, Hawora, was reviewed. Appellant's case had been adjourned from the February sitting. Owing to liis brother having enlisted, appelli'rt was tho only one now on the farm, with the exception of a lad whom he employed. Appellant said he had no relatives in the country. Tho board reserved" its decision sine die, provided appellant remains in his present occupation and reports to the group Mimjnatuier monthly ta tl»« f ( - feet'"

The appeal of Edward Mowatt, farmer, Whangamomona, whose case was before the board in February, was again called on.

The appellant said he was the only man on the farm at prosent. He had unsuccessfully tried to get labor. He had three brothers on active service. Tho board reserved its decision sine die, provided appellant remains in his present position.

The appeal of Richard Leahy, farmer. Waitotara, was adjourned til! the next sitting after May to enable the appellant to be further medically boarded.

The board retired to consider their decisions in the reserved appeals, and upon resuming made the following announcements: In the oases of Frap.c : s Coward and Frederick Bentlty the Ix-urd decided to recommend that they be relieved from military service until .Tune 30 next; tho chairman said if this was not satisfactory to the company it could make further application to the board. The appeal of Philip O'Brien would bo dismissed, appellant being grunted leave until June 14 nc\'t. The decision of the board in the case of Patrick Ford would be adjourned sine die, provided he remains in his present position, while tho appeal of Patrick Gallaghan would bo adjourned until the next sitting in Havrera. This concluded the sitting, and tho board rose at 1.15 o'clock.