TERRITORIAL CAMP

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 February 1940, Page 6

TERRITORIAL CAMP

ACTION BV ASSOCIATION MEMBERS MR H. H. DANIELL RESIGNS. OBJECTION TO CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS. The following letter which has been addressed by Mr H. H. Daniell to the secretary of the Masterton Territorial Association, Mr G. T. O'Hara Smith, is self-explanatory:— “Sir.- —Yesterday at 5 to 12 you brought lo my office a list of names of eighteen men who were unable to attend the Territorial Camp because they were unable to obtain leave. By 2.30 a-committee consisting of Mr V. E. Donald, yourself and myself had interviewed all except three of the employers concerned. In one ease the lad had merely oftered his employer as an excuse because he had other plans for that week. In three cases the employer had not been approached by the territorials and in each of these cases leave was immediately granted although at considerable inconvenience. With the exception of one, in the remaining cases leave could be granted (in some cases on pay) but not during the month of March. Arrangements had been made in some cases for leave in January but that camp was postponed One firm which finds itself unable in March to allow four of its men to go into the Territorial Camp is paying all members of its permanent staff half pay -while they are on active service. The only refusal your committee received was from an old established Wellington firm whose local manager apparently objected to being incommoded.

“We received such courtesy and consideration from the employers concerned that it came as a shock to read, two hours late-r, a condemnation of 39 employers under the guise of an appeal by the Mayor. The exact words were: “At present Masterton men arc going into camp 39 short of their actual strength on account of leave not being forthcoming. . . .” Had Mr Jordan spoken as Mayor I would not have worried but as he spoke as chairman of this committee which wis then preparing a report it would have been courteous to this committee to await that report. "As 1 was spokesman in almost all the interviews I feel that the only way 1 can dissociate myself from the implied strictures of our chairman is by tendering my resignation which I shall be glad if you will accept. (Signed) H. i-I. Daniell.’’

ASSISTANCE SOUGHT

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL IRVING EXPLAINS. In commenting on the above letter Lieutenant-Colonel J. H. Irving, officer commanding the Hawke's Bay Regiment, stated that he called personally on the chairman of the Masterton Territorial Association, Mr T. Jordan, yesterday, and asked for his assistance, pointing out that 39 men had not then got leave or had not notified the Defence Department that they would be attending the camp at Waiouru. Mr Jordan oftered his immediate assistance and communicated at once with the Press and the secretary of the Territorial Association.

'•Mr Jordan acted immediately upon my request for his assistance." Lieuten-ant-Colonel Irving added, “and as a matter of fact has been in close contact with me for the past few months in the matter.”