COMBING OUT.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 1918, Page 3

COMBING OUT.

HOW FAR WILL IT GOf TODAY'S POSITION REVIEWED. Says the Wellington correspondent of the Hawera Star: — There is an idea that if combing out is done with vigor in the First Division, the calling into camp of the married men will be greatly delayed; but close exami-, nation of the position does not support this opinion, Ehough it lias been strongly expressed by members of Parliament, and is still the subject of consideration by Cabinet. An official statement as to the Government's policy in respect to the carrying on of essential industries, in face of "the urgent demand for more men, is in preparation, and then we will be able to see liow far the Government is prepared to interfere with important industries in order to keep up the stream of men going into camp. There were 6500 First Division reser- ' vista who obtained sine die exemptions. When the Second Division was drawn on, the combing out process commenced, and the Military Service Boards have completed all the combing out of these cases which is possible without a ' change in the Government's policy. It is contended that unless essential indusj tries are to be curtailed, or some very thorough "national service" scheme i brought into operation, the boards can . do little more with this class of cssen- ' tial workers who have obtained sine die exemption. In their review, the boards j did not re-open the appeals of First- ' Division men engaged in the mercantile marine, totalling not far short of 1500. ■ Neither did they consider the coalminers, numbering about 1000, who axe exempted' sine die. The experts in the dairy factory, meat works, and allied industries were not called on again, nor were the police or prison warders, or the priests and teachers who obtained exemption as essential workers. The reviewed cases were those of farmers and men olaiming that their calling up would result in undue hardship. Of these cases, 84fl were dismissed on re-hear-ing, and the men go into camp, leaving apart from the exempted classes mentioned above, about 1500 sine die cases. In the railway service only 100 First Division men who are fit for service remain. They are experts and those required because the suburban services were slightly extended a few month/ ago. Railway time-tables are under revision at present, in view of winter running, but there is no proposal to further curtail the trains. The Post and TelegTaph- Department has not yet appealed .in respect to its men, but the time be coming when a halt will have to be called unless the services is to be reduced, Already there is great difficulty in carrying on, the telegraphic work, as this side of the Department's staff has provided large reinforcements for wireless or other communication units. Thus the position has been reached that, without a curtailment of essential activities, the Government will be forced to continue its exemption policy, or bring in a comprehensive scheme of national | service.