Postponements Based On Labour Shortage

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31017, 24 March 1966, Page 8

Postponements Based On Labour Shortage

Hardship to firms already short of staff was the basis of two applications far postponement of national military service granted by the No. 14 Military Training Postponement Committee yesterday. Work from other departments could not be finished if the cutting and creasing machine operated by I. J. Pethig had to be stopped because of his absence, said Mr M. F. Drury, of the United Empire Box Company, Ltd.

The cutting and creasing department was already

under-staffed, with one machine out of use, he said. An immigrant had been engaged to alleviate the problem, but was not expected to arrive for about a year. “We have spent hundreds rf pounds on advertising for rabour this year, with very little success.” The committee, which comprised Messrs J. R. Williams, C. R. Thomas and H. F. Larsen, postponed the applicant’s service for 12 months. Mr R. J. Harrison, of R. J. Ham'son, Ltd,, brassfounders md engineers, supported the ipplication of R. W. Alexinder on similar grounds. There were usually five employees in the section of the irm in which Alexander worked, but at present there were only three, he said. Alexander’s service was postponed sine die. Financial hardship would oe suffered by the applicant if he had to be away from the property he was farming it Hawarden, said Mr P. L. Mortlock, appearing for P. M. Stewart.

It was only a few months since Stewart had taken over the farm, which was being held in trust for him by his father, Mr R. H. Stewart, until he was 21. An absence at this stage would make it difficult for him to “get on his feet,” Mr Mortlock submitted.

The applicant had very heavy commitments in the form of payments on mortgages, and if he employed someone to look after the property he could face a loss. The committee postponed Stewart’s military training for 12 months.

Other applications granted were:—

M. Elder (sinedie), K. Gardener (to January, 1967), R. J. McQueen (sine die), D. K. Redmond (sine die), M. H. J.

Williams (12 months). G. Pattison (12 months). W. J. Barrow (12 months), F. J. Murray (to January, 1967). The following students had their military service postponed sine die:— D. M. Cross, R. S. Jaray, D. S. Parker, A. G. Rodley, J. F. G. Wilson, P. B. Wright, R. E. Wynn. Those whose training was similarly postponed because they had dependent families were:—

K. E. Johnson, G. H. Malloch, B. K. Neeson, W. N. May, M. W. August.