Military Training Postponements

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31906, 6 February 1969, Page 16

Military Training Postponements

The loss of a highly-skilled driver during the coming ewefair season would be a serious i liability, Mr W. Withers, of • Transport (North Canterbury), Ltd, told the Military Training Postponement Committee yes- • terday. Mr Withers was appearing for Mr D. B. Smith, a driver for the company, who applied for the postponement of three weeks military training, to start on February 15. Mr Smith was a highly-skilled driver who was qualified to drive an articulated lorry with a trailer, said Mr Withers. The long-distance cartage of sheep after ewe-fairs demanded the use of such vehicles. Replacement Not Available Asked how the company had managed when Mr Smith had done his 14 weeks training, Mr Withers said that a replacement driver had been used, who was not now available because ; of the recent death of his wife. (This was the reason for Mr (Smith’s late application for postponement, said Mr Withers. The spokesman for the Army (Staff-Sergeant C. E. Ryan) said (that Mr Smith’s military unit i was alocated 20 drivers, but with deferments and postponements only eight would be available for the February camp. The committee, consisting of Messrs J. R. Williams (chairman). N. A. McNab, H. F. Larsen. Mr W. J. Moore (Crown representative), and I. Curry (acting secretary), postponed Mr Smith’s training until May. The committee heard four applications, carried two over to its next sitting, because of non-attendance of applicants. The chairman expressed concern at this and said that in future non-attendance would lead to the dismissal of an application. Fettler’s Application In another application, Mr C. R. Horgan, a fettler, had his training postonped for six months. Appearing for Mr Horgan. Mr J. C. Hawkins, manager of Patterns and Castings.

Ltd, said that fettling was a 1 semi-skilled trade which took some time to learn. Horgan * was Hie only fettler he em ’ ployed. ! Questioned by a member of ! the committee, Mr Hawkins said : that die had been advertising ; for a replacement fettler for ’ almost a month, without success. Other Decisions 1 Other decisions reached by the committee were:— Application adjourned: Messrs G. F. Kirkpatrick <to attend in person); w. R. Wilkes (tailed to appear); R. J. Bell (failed to I appear). Application dismissed: Mr W. ( A. Allan. Training adjourned sine die: Messrs A. N. Edwards, M. J. Gorman, S. R. MacDonald, B. G. i Marlin, C. C. Taylor, F. G. I Alcock. K. J. Anderson, L. C < Johnson, E. P. Mace. N. H. Max-' well, J. B. Roses, A. S. p. i O’Keefe, S. C. Palmer, D. B. Perrin. R. Sorokoput, T. P. D. . Tumataroa, A. J. Turner. R. D. ' Turner. i