EMPLOYERS LIABLE

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21367, 11 March 1941, Page 7

EMPLOYERS LIABLE

MILITARY REGISTRATION DUTIES UNDER LEGISLATION WELLINGTON, Monday “While I must pay a tribute to the great majority of employers throughout the Dominion for the manner in which they have checked the registration of their employees,” said the Hon. R. Semple today, “from time to time cases come under notice which make it obvious that some are not fully aware or are careless of their responsibilities in the matter. Such cases are generally those where there is but a small number of workers, particularly if they are of the casual type. “The position is, of course, that any person who employs or retains in his employment for more than seven days any reservist of an enrolled class who is not duly enrolled therein is guilty, equally with the reservist, of an offence against the regulations, and is liable to severe penalties, including imprisonment. “It is realised that in some instances an employer may be misled by his employee with an incorrect statement that he married before May, 1940, or by some other plausible claim to be a member of the Second Division, but the employer is not exonerated from responsibility unless he takes reasonable steps to satisfy himself that the facts are as stated. The Second Division “This difficulty will no longer exist when the enrolment of the Second Division is undertaken, since after that has taken place practically all men aged 19 to 45 inclusive must be in possession of a certificate of enrolment. The only exceptions worthy of note are Maoris, Aliens, naturalised British subjects, men who have been declared permanently unfit for service, or who have been discharged from the forces as unfit after overseas service, and conscientious objectors whose appeals against service have been allowed. “All employers should, for their own protection call upon their employees either to produce the certicate of enrolment in the First Division, or else give ‘reasonable explanation of their claim to be in the Second or Third Division. Any doubtful cases should immediately be reported to the Director of National Service.”