POSITION UNSATISFACTORY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 63, 14 March 1945, Page 8

POSITION UNSATISFACTORY

GRADE A RESERVISTS

ONLY EMPLOYERS' EVIDENCE

Arising ou£ of a letter received concerning the position of employees in one department of the Auckland Harbour Board, a discussion took place at the meeting of the Auckland R.S.A. executive on the general principle of giving evidence before the Armed Forces appeal tribunals.

Mr. Ken Aekins stated that it appeared that the only evidence given was by the employer or the employer's representative. There was no inquiry into the position in any factory or workshop by inspectors as was done by manpower authorities. The personal view or the community view was never placed before the appeal authority.

It was stated that the attitude of the appeal tribunals was that all evidence had to be very' carefully sifted and the Court had. to make sure that the facts as represented were accurate. Something in the nature of a Gestapo, it was stated by one member, would be necessary to check up every statement and the position of every employee appealed for on the grounds of essentiality.

Mr. Gunn said there should be no such thing as essentiality when there was a war on.

Mr. Cyril Snedden remarked that there must be a production front. No war could be fought if there was no production of the materials and the weapons required for war.

Mr. Co\yie asked if there had been any reply received from the Harbour Board regarding a previous letter sent on the matter of Grade A men. So far as he knew the letter had never been considered by the board. It was decided to again communicate with the board asking that the matter previously raised be brought to. the board for discussion.