POSTPONEMENT OF ARMY SERVICE

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23477, 4 November 1941, Page 6

POSTPONEMENT OF ARMY SERVICE

Position of State Departments STATEMENT BY MINISTER (P A ) WELLINGTON, November 3. Commenting on statements made during the hearing of an appeal in respect of a Government employee before the Manpower Committee at Napier, the Minister for National Service (the Hon. R. Semple) again emphasised that the only authority by which the calling up tor military service of any person can be deferred is by direction of either an armed forces appeal board or a manpower committee. Mr Semple furthe’r emphasised that the position of a State department in this matter is identical with that of a private employer of labour, as in each case postponement can only be granted by the appropriate tribunal. . • . „ “Concerning the particular case in question, said the Minister, “an appeal had already been lodged by the Director of National Service, and in consequence, pending the decision of the Manpower Committee at Napier, the reservist was not available for mobilisation. The fact that the territorial was an employee of a State department was entirely incidental, as any employer would have had the right to retain the employee in such circumstances. An appeal has also been lodged concerning the railway employee referred to, and the question of his release for military service is entirely at the discretion of the committee.” Outlining the procedure followed in respect of State employees called for territorial cadre service, Mr Semple said that, with a view to minimising mobilisation difficulties, a list of civil servants selected was made available by the Army area officer to the secretary of the local manpower committee. If the reservist’s release could not be effected locally, Army authorities were requested to defer mobilisation for a few days to enable an investigation of the case to be made by the head of the department and the Public Service Commissioner. The matter was then examined in the light of the general staff position obtaining in the department, and, if necessary, representations were made to the Director of National Service, who lodged an appeal if he considered the circumstances warranted it.

“There has never been any suggestion that the decision of any manpower committee or armed forces appeal board is not final, and this applies equally with regard to State departments and private organisations,” concluded the Minister.