THE DEFENCE ACT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8412, 14 November 1912, Page 6

THE DEFENCE ACT.

CHARGES AGAINST POST OFFICE LADS DISPOSED. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND,' November 13. In their defence at the Polico Court this morning three young men answered charges under the Defence. Act wth notes from the chief officer in their department (the postal service) to the effect that the shortage of officers on j account of sickness had made it impossible to allow the lads off for the .innual camp. ' Sergeant-Major Meikle stated that defendants had attended well to their military duties, but there was dissatisfaction because tho Postal and Railway Departments refused their employees leave in many cases, while other Departments and private employers had to let.their men away, often at great inconvenience. Mr Frazer, S.M., stated that the Departments referred to were not defendants. He would, however, advise the sergeant-major to got the head of his Department to approach the Postal and Railway Departments and como to some arrangements on the matter. The postal lind railway services,'he pointed out, where en a different footing from ■other public services, in that they were carrying out duties essential to tho public-life of the' community, sxvd duties which had 11<> be done-immediately; The eases against defendants wore dismissed , and in one instance costs amounting to £4 were .illowed defendant, as tile oase was in the nature of a tor-;t case and as tha defence authorities wcm-o aware beforehand of the circumstances. Similar charges were dismissed for the sanio reason.