STUDENTS’ PROBLEM

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 229, 24 June 1941, Page 3

STUDENTS’ PROBLEM

Territorial Training And Examinations VIEW OF DEPARTMENT An intimation from the Director of National Service, Mr. J. S. Hunter, that 18-year-old students called up for territorial training could appeal for a postponement on the ground of hardship where they were sitting an examination at the end of the year, was received by the Wellington Technical College Board of Governors at last night’s meeting. The letter was in reply to oue sent by the director of the college, Mr. It. G. Ki'dling, to the Wellington Manpower Committee. "Two days ago 1 received a deputation who laid before me the difficulties of continuing the training of apprentices in industry,” wrote Mr. Ridling, to the chairman of the Wellington Manpower Committee on May 29. “I was unable to give a sympathetic consideration to their request or to give assistance iu urging modification of the military training scheme, because I realize the urgency ot our present military requirements, but I ask consideration of the deferring of military training for youths of 18 years of age who will be brought up for territorial activities in July of this year till after the Technical College is closed about the middle of November. 300 Students Affected.

"Our own school has approximately 300 students attending during the evening who will be called up because of the recent alteration iu the regulations. They will be iu their eighteenth year after June 1, 1941. They will be away from their studies as well as from their work from July till after September. The college year closes on November la. You can well understand, therefore, that students whose course has been interfered with by three mouths’ absence, will not be prepared to resume studies till 1942. The same sort of activity will, no doubt, go on in 1942, with the result that the efficiency of youth will steadily decline.

“The 300 mentioned above are working during the daytime as apprentices, some as clerks aud some in essential industries. In some cases they must succeed iu examinations for advancement iu their work so that, in spite of the sympathy I have for the efforts at present beiug made by the military authorities, 1 ask that most careful consideration be g'iveu before students are taken away from their ordinary activities and studies.” Director’s Reply. Iu reply,? the Director of National Service, afleiigdealiug with the liability of youths attaining 18 years of age to enrol iu the first division of the geuerai reserve, said that uo immediate liability for training attached till the reservist was actually called up for service by notice published iu the Gazette. "Apart, from other available grounds of appeal,” said the director, “a student called up during the academic year for territorial training and entering for an examination at the end of that year, may apply on appeal on the ground of undue hardship for a postponement of his training to enable him to continue his studies without interruption aud to sit for such examination. This rule will apply,generally to full-time students, but individual appeals must be submitted. Insofar as part-time students are concerned, it is not practicable to lay down a general rule—each case must be determined ou its own particular merits.”.,. Referring to appeals, which he said must be lodged promptly after the date of calling up, Mr. Hunter said that in respect of technical college students, it was suggested that it would be helpful to the Manpower Committee if a certificate from the director of the college accompanied'the notice of appeal. The position was most satisfactory, said the chairman, Mr. W. Appleton, and students should be informed. Colonel T. W. McDonald: I am sure there are cases where exemptions will be granted, but it would be wrong to attempt to obtain a general exemption. We must think first of the war effort.

The chairman: Every case will be considered on Its merits.