BOY MESSENGERS IN BLACK-OUT

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23587, 14 March 1942, Page 3

BOY MESSENGERS IN BLACK-OUT

Sir,—ln his reply to ray letter Major Crampton passes rather lightly over the more serious points raised. That these boys would do the job I have no doubt, but as to the wisdom m appointing boys of 14 to act as stretcherbearers during the height of an air raid there is room for serious doubt. The statement that boys of such years are “relatively as strong as men will not bear close analysis and is far removed from fact. Major Crampton says it is better to have trained boys lor this work than untrained men; but surely sufficient men could be trained for this important task. Might I suggest as an alternative that university students boarding close to the hospital be trained for this work? They are almost on the spot and of an age more in keeping with the important work involved.—Yours, etc A MAN’S JOB. March 13, 1942. THE WAR EFFORT Sir,—During the last few . weeks I have listened to various Cabinet Ministers over the air exhorting people, mainly farmers, to exert their wnoie power and energy to winning the war. by making sacrifices, producing more, working longer hours, and making two blades of grass grow where one grew before. Yes, it sounds all right, but what is the Government doing in the matter? Why does it not pass a war emergency bill abolishing for the duration of the war the 40-hour week and all other measures which tend to curtail production. Curtail racing by naif and all other functions where there is a waste of material and manpower. Why should farmers and other private people work 60 hours or more a week and unionists 40?— Yours, etc., DEEDS NOT WORDS. March 10, 1942. Sir,-—The Minister for Public Works says the 40-hour week is a misnomer. Well, yes it is! A factory in Christchurch making munitions has njen working 37j hours a week, and what is worse, alo g with the Director of National Service, appeals for some of these men who have been called up. classing them as essential workers. The Appeal Board, as far as some members are, concerned, does not heat the full %sß.and the men are exempted. ■fffiESjed of working three shifts, which m«sns 22J hours’ work a day, two shifts of II hours each would release 33 1-3 Per cent, of the manpower. This shows how unnecessary these appeals are. I have yet to meet the engineer, fitter, or turner who is indispensable, There is a big difference between essential work and essential workers. The war has been going two and a half years ample time for firms to arrange their staffs by placing married over-age or unfit men on the more important work. —Yours, etc., AS I KNOW IT. March 12, 1942.