WHOSE ORDERS?

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 6, 8 January 1942, Page 8

WHOSE ORDERS?

AN ANSWER WANTED

STATE SERVANT NOT

WITH UNIT

(P.A.) PALMERSTON N.,,This Day. Understanding that no official permission was given for a Public Works Department employee engaged on maintenance work at an aerodrome to remain out of camp and that he was still there despite the mobilisation of his Territorial unit as from December 15, the man-power committee yesterday decided to investigate the matter. The chairman, Mr. T. L. Seddon, said that the impression might get about quite wrongly that the employees of State Departments received preference. The matter arose when appeals came before the committee from the Public Works Department in respect of three men, two being members of units mobilised from December 15. The Crown representative, Mr. Worthington, drew attention to the fact when the appeals were supported by Mr. A. R. Acheson in his capacity as resident f engineer for the Department. He was asked by whose authority the men did not proceed to camp, and replied: "I cannot say to the committee."

Mr. Worthington said he had made inquiries of one of the units concerned and was told that the reservist had been excused from immediate service on the understanding *hat the appeal was coming forward.

"This is another of these incomprehensible matters," remarked the chairman. "Normally such a man would be collected by an armed escort. This matter has bees mentioned before where persons galled for military service have been employees of State Departments. The only authorities which can excuse a man from military service outside the military authorities themselves are the man-power committees or armed forces appeal boards. I think we should get to the bottom of it. We should find out from the man himself why he did not report. If he did not report of his own volition then he shpuld be dealt with. If he did not report because he had been told not to then we should find out who told him, and on what authority. I feel very strongly about this. I think there is no use our sitting here if others who are not given authority are taking it." Subsequently it was announced in the case of the reservist referred to that the appeal would be dismissed. Inquiries would be made of the Army authorities whether he had been called up. '