SERVICE APPEAL BOARDS

Evening Star, Issue 24916, 14 July 1943, Page 4

SERVICE APPEAL BOARDS

REDUCED AND RECONSTITUTED NO. 1 DUNEDIN COMMITTEE DISBANDED (P.A.j' INVERCARGILL, July M. The Minister of Service (Mr McLagan) in a statement to-day, announced that changes had been made in the establishment of the armed forces appeal boards. These changes became effective as from Monday, July 12. , A reduction has been made in the number of boards from 25 to 19 and the opportunity taken to remove certain administrative and other anomalies which arose in consequence of the change of status last year of the former man power committees when they were specially appointed as appeal boards with jurisdiction parallel to that of the original boards. Under the re-estab-lishment six boards only—Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Napier, Greymoutli, and Dunedin—will deal with appeals on the ground of conscientious objection. For this purpose they will require to travel over extended areas. The reason for limiting jurisdiction over appeals on this ground to a few boards is to ensure a maximum uniformity of decision in a class of appeal which presents peculiar difficulties

Although a reduction in the number of boards has been found practicable, it is anticipated that for some time to come the remaining boards will be kept particularly busy. There is yet a great deal of work to be done in, keeping under careful review the very considerable number of postponements, and while the volume of new appeals will not be considerable, the systematic review of postponements is a task which is becoming increasingly difficult. At Dunedin (Area 31) Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., is returning to his magisterial duties, and the board is being disbanded._ Mr D. C. Cameron, the former chairman of the second board, is the chairman of tbe newlyconstituted board. The personnel of this board is unaltered. "The reduction in the number of boards." said the Minister, "has unfortunately made it impossible to reappoint all the previous personnel. .In addition, some members for business and other reasons, have asked to be relieved .of further duties. It is much regretted that, the services of experienced and competent personnel will be lost." The stipendiary magistrates who have been chairmen—Messrs S. L. Paterson (Hamilton), F. F. IReid (Christchurch), and J. R. Bartholomew (Dunedin)—will be returning to their magisterial duties, and the Minister expressed appreciation of the action" of the Justice Department' in having made their services available. The Minister also paid a tribute to the excellent work done by the appeal boards and by the former man power; committees. "Their task," said the Minister, " has been difficult and has made very heavy demands on • their time, particularly during the past..-.'] 8 months. I am most appreciative of the good work that has been done and for the services rendered, and wish to express, on behalf of. the Government, sincere thanks both to those continuing in office and to those relinquishing their appointments."