BALLOT APPEALS

Hokitika Guardian, 11 December 1940, Page 5

BALLOT APPEALS

RAILWAY-MEN ’ S POSITION (Per Press Association —Copyright). CHRISTCHURCH, December 10. Explaining why is was considered desirable to seek adjournments sine die in cases of railway employees conscripted for Territorial training, the National Service Department has advised the Christchurch Manpower Committee that 540 appeals have been lodged for railwaymen called in the second ballot. At tlio beginning of November, 1910, there were 2361 railway employees serving with the armed forces overseas, or in training for overseas service. In addition 581 men were undergoing Tt rritorial training. In tin' first ballot, (538 men were conscripted and appeals wen; instituted in respect of 139 of these. In the second ballot 1351 were called, and the director has appealed for 515, a very large proportion of whom are train operating crew personnel. The greater percentage of men appealed for in the second ballot was due in part to heavy seasonal operations. “it was to he pointed out that in respect of locomotive running and traffic branches that very few men would be available for mo-lnl.sation with the Territorial Forces, in the event of extreme emergency, stales the National Service Department, ' In the circumstances it has been considered desirable to seek adjournments sine die in all cases. The matter ol availability for Territorial training, however, will be the subject of regulai and close review.