OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 December 1940, Page 6

OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

TERRITORIAL APPEALS (To the Editor.) Sir, —May I as one concerned draw your attention to the misleading manner in which the reports are published re the hearing of appeals by the Wairarapa District Man Power Committee. One is given the impression that the appeals arc as your paper expresses it in headlines as “Appeals against service in Territorials” and “Objection to Territorial Training.” This is definitely not a true indication of the position. The appeals especially on behalf of farmers are not against Territorial training as your paper would have the public believe, but for an extension of time in which to complete seasonal operations and to make the necessary arrangements for the management of the farms during their absence. Only the minimum time is asked for and this is given every consideration by the committee and not dismissed as your report indicates on almost every occasion. Headlines such as those mentioned above could not give a more untrue impression as those appealing are not objectors to Territorial training in any way whatsoever. • < I trust, Sir, that in future the reports will endeavour to give a clearer indication of the position. I feel confident that in voicing my dissent from the misleading reports it will meet with the approval of all those directly concerned. Thanking you for your space.—l am, etc., ROY SHAW. Masterton, December 3.

Our correspondent’s use of the term misleading reports is unwarranted. It is a fact that the appeals or most of them, are for delay, but the official form on which the appeals are lodged is headed: “Notice of Appeal Against Territorial Service” and the term “dismissed” is used frequently by the committee in announcing its decisions.