Method Adopted At Christchurch For Army Releases

Taranaki Daily News, 25 August 1942, Page 4

Method Adopted At Christchurch For Army Releases

Christchurch, Aug. 24. To ensure that there is no unnecessary delay in the release of farmers and farm labourers from the army, the Armed Forces Appeal Board has decided to hand over all cases of this nature to the offiee of the National Service Department at Christchurch, which will deal with them. > This information was given by the chairman of the board, Mr. J. S. Barnett, to a conference of representatives of district committees of the North Canterbury District Council of Primary Production. The question of manpower for farm production was discussed by the conference, and Mr. Barnett, who was present with other members of the board, answered a number of questions about securing the release of men from the army. He said that where the army and Ihe National Service Department office agreed on a man's case he would be released forthwith. Where there was any dispute the board would decide the question. The president of the North Canterbury council, Mr. R. T. McMillan, gave a summary of a meeting between the council and the Minister of Primary Production for War Purposes, the Hon. W. J. Polson. He said the Minister dealt with the question of manpower for farms and the increased responsibility which he expected to place on district committees in regard to lodging appeals. Mr. Polson also expressed the hope that the district committees would keep a close watch to see that there was' no abuse of the privileges given to them, and that every man was put in the right job. One committee representative asked Mr. Barnett if men who had been granted 14 days' leave from the army pending the hearing of their appeal should go back or stay on the farm when the leave expired before the appeal was heard. Mr. Barnett said that if the office at Christchurch was advised the men would receive extended leave until their appeals were heard. Another representative said there was a feeling among committees that it was no use appealing for men in specialist camps. Mr. Barnett replied that where a man was set aside for special training it was more difficult to obtain his release, but there was no hard and fast rule.