KEY MEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 April 1941, Page 4

KEY MEN

E.P.S. HAS FIRST CALL NATIONAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT RULING. POSITION MADE CLEAR. The fact that the place of ‘’key" men was with the E.P.S. was made clear at last night's meting of the Masterton Emergency Precautions Scheme Committee. A circular from the Director of the National Service Department stated that it was still considered that in the service of local bodies and public utility corporations there would be employees whose work might not be of such a “key” nature as to make it imperative that their services should be available during an emergency for their usual work. Such might be permitted to join the Home Guard. On the other hand, there was a large proportion of employees on local bodies and public utility corporations whose services were essential to the running of the particular public service or utility Jn an emergency. They must be regarded as “key” men. It was now directed that these men must not be attested and enrolled in the Home Guard —they might enrol in the E.P.S. organisation provided they could be posted to a unit that would, in any case, deal with their particular utility, but they must not enrol with the Home Guard. If any such men were already enrolled, they must be released forthwith. Area commanders of the Home Guard were being advised accordingly “Key men must be in the E.P.5.,” said Mr. Jordan.

“That is what should be made public.” observed Mr W. Kemp. Mr. Jordan: “If the E.P.S. organisation is satisfied these men are eligible to join the other service.” Mr. Kemp: “If there are men in the Home Guard who are 'key’ men required at vital points, they should be notified at once to get out and join up with the E.P.S. It has simply got to be done.”