RESERVIST APPEALS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 263, 4 October 1940, Page 2

RESERVIST APPEALS

DRAWN IN BALLOT. GOVERNMENT POLICY. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Oct. 3. A definition of the policy, laid down by the Government to be followed uy man-power committees in the hearing of appeals by men drawn in the ballot lor the Territorial Eorce was outlined by the Minister of National Service (Hon. It. Semple) to-night. in forming this policy, said All Semple, the Government had been guided by the experience obtained since the outbieak of war in coping with the enormous rearrangement of personnel rendered necessary by the despatch ol men overseas, also with those withdrawn from industry for service with the armed forces within the Dominion; Considerations of public interest, he said, would be a matter of paramount importance, but the committees should keep carefully in mind that the incidence of Territorial service was not comparable with that of overseas service. To send a skilled worker out of the country for overseas service was far more serious than merely to divert him from his normal occupation for the limited period of Territorial training. Nevertheless, the importance of some industries or occupations was such that it would be unwise to permit any interruption by sending a man to camp even for a short period. Alan-power must be considered on the basis of national service, not merely of military service.

Appeals in respect of all public servants, states Air Semple, will be dealt with under the usual provisions of the regulations by the man-power committees. In order to obtain complete uniformity all departments of State had been directed to forward particulars of all public servants for whom postponement is desired to the Director of National Service who will lodge the appeals in the cases deemed necessary. Public servants will personally lodge their own appeals direct to the manpower committees on grounds other than public interest. Appeals by school teachers on grounds of public interest will |ic made hv the emploving board concerned to the appropriate man-power committee. For the sake of convenience the various grounds of appeal available are: —

A.—STATUS,

(1) That when so called up he was not a member of the Reserve, or has lawfully ceased to be a British subject. (2) That when so called up from any class of the, Reserve lie was a member of some other class, the calling up of which had not been authorised by the Alinister under the regulations. The grounds of appeal are available only to the person so called up.

IL—PUBLIC INTEREST,

That by reason of his occupation the calling up of the man concerned is contravy t-o the public interest. This ground of appeal is available to the following:—(1) The man called up: (2) any other person ; (3) the Director of National Sendee.

No appeal can be allowed on this ground, but if the circumstances warrant relief can be granted by way of adjournment only.

C.—UNDUE HARDSHIP

(1) That by reason of bis domestic circumstances or for any other reason the calling up of a man for service will be a cause of undue hardship to such a man or other’s.

(2) That calling up will be the cause of undue hardship to the person presenting the appeal. These grounds are available respectively (1) to the man called up and (2) to the person suffering undue hardship. No appeal can be allowed on the ground of undue hardship, but if the circumstances warrant the granting of relief can be afforded by way of adjournment only. D—CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS.

That lie conscientiously objects to serving with the armed forces. This ground of appeal is available only to a person called up for service. A man-power committee has no jurisdiction to determine the appeal on this ground.

The appeals are to be heard in public hut the committee may hear any case in private should circumstances warrant.