NOT LOOKING AHEAD

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20414, 26 November 1940, Page 6

NOT LOOKING AHEAD

EMPLOYERS' DUTY

RELEASING RESERVISTS TRAINING RF.PIACE ME NTS ■'ll is obvious that employers are not looking ahead and making an effort to release men in their employment by training others to take their places for the period of their territorial training," said a member of the Gisborne-East. Coast Man-Power Committee, at to-day’s sitting to deal with the first group of second-ballot territorial reservists. Members of the committee agreed that there was a tendency on the part of employers to let things slide, despile their knowledge that they had men who were liable lor service, and “trust to luck” when making appeals lo the committee. Harbour Board Employees An appeal was lodged by the Gisborne Harbour Board on behalf of William Stanley Edwards, a signaller. Tlie secretary of the board, Mr. 11. A. Barton, stated that Edwards was doing work considered essential to the safety of shipping, and that if he were taken into camp it would not be possible to arrange for relief by an experienced man. The appeal was considered in conjunction with an appeal for a fourmonths' postponement of service for Hector Gordon Jamieson, (he Gisborne Harbour Board's launch engineer and light attendant. Mr. Barton explained that a postponement would enable the training of another man to take up relieving duties. The appeal in respect of Edwards was dismissed, subject to tlie reservist not being called up before December 30; and that in respect to Hector Gordon Jamieson was dismissed subject to the reservist not being called up before March 15. Grocery Manager’s Position On behalf of Sydney Will. Horsborough, John Bull (N.Z.), Limited, appealed for a postponement of service until after December 30, 1940. on the grounds that he was manager, buyer, and stock attendant for the firm, which already had two employees now on active service. It was explained that the appeal had been lodged in order to avoid a call being made upon the reservist at once for an advance draft of secondballot men. Mr. George Horsborough, managing director of the firm, stated that lie would not have appealed except, for the risk that his son would be called at a clay or two’s notice, which would seriously embarrass the firm on account of his responsible position After Christmas, there would be no question of the man not going to camp. The firm recognised that the country's claim must come first, and il it was necessary for the reservist to go to camp, he would not press the appeal even for a postponement. On tlie other hand, if the postponement could be granted without affecting other men’s circumstances, the firm would find it a great convenience. The committee granted the p° s D ponement asked for. Appeal by Builder John McCormick appealed for a postponement of service until March 31, 1941, on the grounds of public interest and undue hardship. He stated that he was a builder, now engaged in the erection of a dwelling, in respect of which ho had let subcontracts for plumbing and painting. Tlie building had been commenced about November 1, and uncertainties respecting materials and labour had to be taken into account. Tlie reservist said he suffered from an injured hand, owing to which lie was discharged from a territorial unit in 1928 as being under the physical standard. He hoped to be accepted for overseas service with a specialised unit in which his injury would not affect his capability. '• The appeal was dismissed, subject to the reservist not being called up before March 15. C. D. J. Regan was appealed for by Nelsons (N.Z.), Limited, on the grounds of public interest and undue hardship. The reservist was stated to be responsible for most of the senior clerical work of the Gisborne branch of Nelsons (N.Z.), Limited, and his employers asked that two months should be allowed for training a substitute to cover the reservist’s duties during his absence on territorial service. The appeal was dismissed, subject to the reservist not being called up before March 15, 1941.