BALLOT APPEALS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 17, 31 October 1940, Page 6

BALLOT APPEALS

MAN-POWER COMMITTEE.

LOCAL SESSION RESUMED. FURTHER. CASES DECIDED. The Ashburton sitting of the South Canterbury Man-power Committee was resumed in the Ashburton Court-house this morning, when further appeals ol men drawn in the first Territorial ballot were dealt, with. The committee consists of Messrs C. J. Talbot (chairman), A. J. Davey, H. Badham and R. Gillies (secretary). Captain F. L. Rees represents the military authorities.

CASES HEARD YESTERDAY.

The following eases were heard after the “Guardian” went to press yesterday :

“Savings Jeopardised.” Leslie Albert Hill, of William Street, Ashburton, appealed on grounds of wrong status, not being a member of the division, and hardship to his wife and himself. An appeal on’ his behalf was also made by his employers, Buchanan’s Ltd., Ashburton, on grounds of public interest and undue hardship. Hill stated that if he went into the Territorials it would mean the loss of his life’s savings. The firm’s appeal jvas to the effect that Hill’s services were essential from January to April. The appeals were dismissed on all grounds. Essential to Employer. A. P. Bruce, farmer, of Pendarves, represented by ’Mr L. A. Charles, appealed on behalf of Alan James Hurst, of Pendarves, an employee on his farm, on grounds of public interest and undue hardship. Mr Charles said that the nature of the farm and type of work was such that it would very materially reduce efficiency if Hurst was taken away. There was no desire to escape military duties on the part of either employer or employee, but it was believed that Hurst’s work was more valuable on the farm than in camp at present. His farm was of 1700 acres. Exemption until May, 1941, was sought. The appeal was dismissed, conditionally on the appellant not being called up before April 1. One Brother Overseas. A farmer and master butcher, Ronald Melrose, of Alford Forest Road, Ashburton, appealed on grounds of public interest and hardship, stating that the hardship would fall on himself and his brother. Melrosehs statement was to the effect that he was a dairy and pig farmer. He was managing his brother’s business while the latter was on active service with the First Echelon. Another brother had been called up in the ballot and if he (appellant) had to go into camp he would have to sell the butchery in Alford Forest Road, Ashburton. He had one man helping him, hut he was just as likely to be called up also. He would be able to go into camp if able to get someone to look after the shop. He had completed three years’ Territorial training, added the appellant. Decision was reserved.

In the case of Frederick John Bonnington, farmer, of Wakanui Rural, the appeal was adjourned sine die.

' TO-DAY’S! SITTINGS. The chairman announced that in the case of Ronald Melrose, dairy farmer and butcher, of Alford Forest Road, heard the previous day and adjourned for further inquiries, it had been decided to adjourn the case sine die, which meant that tho appellant, would not be required for military duties for six months. . Shearers’ Position. John Stevenson, of 104 Aitken St., Ashburton, appealing for temporary exemption on hip own behalf on the grounds of public interest and hardship, stated in writing that he was an expert blade shearer and engaged for work. He asked for four months’ postponement. He based his application on a statement which he said had been made by the Hon. R. 'Semple (Minister of National Service ) that shearers would be exempted during the season., Captain Rees said that blade shearers were more important than, machine shearers on the high country. The appeal was dismissed, conditionally on the appellent not being called up before February 15, 1941. Six Men Overseas. He had already released six of his employees' for overseas service, wrote Mr J. H. Grigg, of Longbeaeh, in an appeal on behalf of Angus Hugh 01liver, of Longbeaeh, shepherd and musterer. Air Grigg’s appeal which was on .the grounds of public interest and 1 undue hardship, stated that Oliver was a, skilled man in tho high country at Mount Mason and the Melrose Estate, Hawarden, and postponement of military service until the autumn muster was sought. The appeal was dismissed subject to tho appellant not being called up before April J. Tractor Driver’s Plea. ■ 'Charles Edward Young, employed by D. J. Stewart, of Mount Hutt rural, Rakaia, as a tractor driver and general farm hand asked for a postponement of training on grounds of public interest. Mr Stewart supported Young’s appeal. The original appeal asked for a postponement for eight months, dated October 8.

Captain Rees remarked that it was

desirable to place the Dominion m a state of defence.

Stewart stated that his farm was working at 100 per cent, production. He intended to put lights on his tractor l'or night work. The appeal was dismissed subject to the appellant not being called up until April 1, 1941.

Appellant Not Present. On the basis of undue hardship, J. p. MeAnulty, farmer, of itakaia, appealed on behalf of his son, Wilfred McAnulty, for exemption until February. It was stated that the appellant’s son was the only help on the farm of 180 acres. The father’s health was not of the best. There were 72 acres in wheat and eight acres were soon to be put in potatoes. There were 200 ewes to be shorn. The chairman remarked that the father, as appellant, did not appear and that was apt to prejudice his cgse. However, the statement submitted was a plain and straightforward one. The appeal was dismissed, conditionally on the man not being called up before January 31. On Son’s Behalf. Mrs A. E. O’Connor, of Bowen Street, Itakaia, appealed on behalf of her son, James Harold O’Connor, lorry driver, of Itakaia, on the grounds of hardship. The mother’s written statement set out that she was in bad health and dependent on her son’s help. She applied for exemption for all time. Neither party appeared. The appeal was dismissed. High Couinitry Work. L. L. Richards, of Mount Hutt station, appealed on behalf of Cyril Clifton, head shepherd, of Mount Hutt station, on the grounds of public interest. The appellant’s statement was that Clifton knew the country, which was hard, high and rough. There were three yearly shepherds on the place and it was hard to get suitable men. Young men were essential for the job on the station, which ran 13,000 sheep. The chairman said that the men would have to do their training some time or other, but the committee which to assist in production as far as possible. Clifton, said the appellant, was a permanent hand. “If you want production we must have these men, and if you want manpower, then production must suffer,” said the appellant. He added that the homestead, which was behind Surrey Hills, was 1560 feet above sea level. To Mr Davey, Mr Richards said that the autumn muster was the most important of all. To Captain Rees: There were six men on the place altogether. The appeal was dismissed, conditionally on the employee not being called up before the end of April. No Help Available. Joseph Henry Page, farm manager of Wakanui Rural, asked for exemption on the grounds of undue hardship and public interest. In his evidence the appellant said that he and his brother looked after a farm of 600 acres on which there were 400 sheep, 70 acres in wheat, 40 acres in peas, 40, acres in oats and 50 acres in grass-seed. Tliev had to work long hours to keep things going. It was almost impossible to secure efficient help. The appeal was dismissed on the condition that the appellant is not called up before February 3, 1941. Contractor’s Request. A mail-contractor, Edwaird Henry Barnes, of Rakaia, appealed on grounds of public interest and hardship. He made two deliveries a day, he said in evidence and it would be hard to secure a substitute. He maintained that another person would not take the same ear© of his car and he would therefore lose financially. He had no objection to military training or to going overseas but it would bo the short period that would mean a monetary loss.

The Post and Telegraph Department Wrote that Barnes was mot actually employed by the Department but was a contractor and the onus would be on him to find a substitute.

T. W. McKee, of Ashburton, representing the Mail Contractors’ Association, giving evidence on Barnes behalf, said that it would be difficult to,train a mew man in a fortnight. No definite instructions were given by the postal authorities and contractors had to amass a great deal of information. Moreover, petrol restrictions increased the work as settlers could not get into town.

The appeal was dismissed, a. condition being that Bonnies is not called up before January 6.

(Proceeding)