MANPOWER APPEALS

Grey River Argus, 25 February 1944, Page 2

MANPOWER APPEALS

CASES HEARD AT \GREYMOUTH. The Christchurch Manpower Appeal Committee" began a sitting at Greymouth last evening and will hear further cases at what is expected to be a Idng sitting to-day. Mr. K. G. Archer presided, with him Messrs H. Lee and P. J. Kelly. Mr. T. A. Jacobsen was secretary. The District Manpower Officer (Mr. G. G. M. Mitchell) was also present. Monica C. Sinnott (Mr. W. p. Taylor) appealed against her direction bv the District Manpower Officer to work at Godfrey, Phillips’ tobacco factory, Wellington. Evidence was given by appellant s father, T. Sinnott, who said his daughter had done all the housework at his home and looked after himself and two aged grandparents, a sister who was unwell, and a young brother. She secured employment as a postwoman at Greymouth, but was put off after a day as someone got in touch with the Manpower Officer. Appellant was teaching many children dancing for patriotic revues. When he was absent from Greymouth one of his daughters looked after his mercer’s shop. His daughter dia not mind working in Greymouth, but did not wish to go to Wellington Mr. Mitchell said the work at the Post Office was essential but a strict medical examination was required to be passed. „ 1 The appeal was allowed on the condition of appellant accepting work at the Post Office or other work deemed suitable by the Manpower Officer. Josephine Butler and Brown, Walters, Co., Ltd., appealed against the direction of the former to the Mental Hospitals Department, Hqkitjka. G Walters said that the directee was in charge of the office at the aaraee and was essential to its efficient running. When he was anient no one but Miss Butler was available to attend to the P etr ol pumps. He was qualified to do the books of the firm. Miss Butler was doing all the preliminary accountancy Reservist in evidence on her own behalf said her mother was ill m hospital and her services were needed in the home before and after work. Mr. Archer asked for a certificate as to Mrs. Butler’s ultimate health. The appeal was adjourned. . Jean M. Cameron appealed against her direction to the Mental Hospital, Hokitika, as a probationer nurse. Appellant said she lived at her home in Greymouth and was employed in a milk-bar. She said she would take on essential work m Greymouth but not in a mental hospital. She definitely refused to undertake such V Mr’ Mitchell said that there were a number of girls employed in the milk-bar but appellant was the only one of age for the particular work. In announcing the Committee’s reserved decision, the Chairman said that in this case no medical or othei evidence had been produced as to why appellant should not go to the work, and in view of the grave need of the Mental Hospital it was not sufficient ground that she did not feel herself that she was suitable. In i dismissing the, appeal the Committee hoped that she would give tue woik an honest (rial. Hannan and Seddon appealed against the direction 'of Joan C. . Heaphy to the Hokitika Mental Hospital. \ . .. Mr. J. W. Hannan said reservist was the firm’s sole stenographer. The only other female employed was a cashier. Reservist had been with the firm for five years and was desirous of remaining where she was. Guinness and Kitchingham and Dorothy Patterson (Mr. A. M. Jamieson) appealed against direction to Hokitika Mental Hospital as a probationer nurse. Mr. F. A. Kitchingham said reservist was an experienced worker and was familiar with all types of legal work. There were three female assistants employed with the firm. Reservistjs work was of a general nature. The staff was three less than .before the war. Additional staff, not substitution was necessary. In evidence reservist said she was the only one at home to look after her mother who was in poor health, and to look after the house. . She had ' seven years’ legal experience. She also did a fair amount of shorthand and typewriting. Griffin and Smith Ltd., (Mr. J. W. Hannan) and Mrs. Veronica Finlay’ appealed against the direction of Irene Monica Finlay to Godfrey Phillips tobacco factory. Wellington. Mr. E. Smith said reservist had been employed with the firm for five and a-half years and could not be replaced. Owing to rationing there was at present more office work than usual. Her chief occupation was to watch the incoming and outgoing cash and checking invoices. She also • compiled sales tax returns. Reservist’s sister salid that she and reservist were the only female mem- ■ bers of the family at home, where j her mother was an invalid. She did : not want to go to Wellington. ; ; Mr. L. J. Armstrong and Joyce and ■ Taylor appealed against the direction of Zoe Armstrong to Godfrey Phillips ' tobacco factory, Wellington.

Mr. W. D. Taylor said that from a staff of six tin 1937 he was now reduced to a staff of three and himself, which he considered an irreducible minimum. Miss Armstrong was engaged in typewriting, costing, and similar work and if he lost her he would have to begin training another girl at the cost of a great loss of efficiency. He produced details of the extent of his own business and figures showing the large population served by the legal firms of Greymouth.

Mr. L. J. Armstrong said that he was away from home quite a lot and if his daughter left his wife would be left at home by herself. His daughter did not want to go away. In a reserved decision all four appeals were allowed, the Chairman saying that they all fell in the same category, and that in each case the committee was satisfied that the women were experienced clerical ■workers of considerable value to the firms concernd.