Dissatisfaction With Appeal Board

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 60, 12 March 1943, Page 4

Dissatisfaction With Appeal Board

Farmers “Up in Arms' ?.t Decisions The opinion that the Armed Forces Appeal Board "which sits in Palmerston North and neighbouring towns, is interpreting its instructions far too harshly, was expressed at yesterday’s meeting of tho Manawatu Primary Production Council not only by members of the Council, but also in correspondence from various production committees. It was stated that the Appeal Board seemed to think that if a man was classed fit A medically, that man must go to camp notwithstanding liis responsibilities in the matter of production. The Appeal Board was telling these men that they could have a couple of months or some similar period in which to make the necessary arrangements for their being replaced on the farm. The result was most upsetting from the production point of view. In other districts, tho Appeal Boards were not so harsh in their decisions, taking a more reasonable view. The chairman, Mr. ,J. Link later, said many of these men being told to find someone to take their place, were the owners of the farms and had no assistance except what was given by a wife. It was mentioned in some of the letters of protest that the Appeal Board was taking no notice of recommendations made by the Primary Production committees. The secretary, Mr. H. J. Rees, produced a tile of letters received from district production committees, enumerating what they considered injustices meted out by the Appeal Board. There were also letters from members of the legal fraternity couched in similar vein. Mr. B. E. Keiller said an interested organisation in Palmerston North had met to discuss the situation and had passed .a resolution which would be sent to Wellington. The statement that the Appeal Board chairman was unnecessarily harsh with appellants in the witness box, was also made. Mr. L. Ballinger (Linton) said the trouble was the constitution of the Mana watu Appeal Board. There should be a practical farmer on it. The Farmers’ Union in the district had pressed for such Qn oppointmenl when it heard Mr. T. L. Scddon was going off owing to ill-health. Tho position had been placed before the authorities in Wellington and a reply had come to hand from the office of the Min ister of National Service stating that the appointment of Mr. T. It. Lees as chairman of tho Board, was only a temporary arrangement during the period Mr. Seddon was unable to continue. The letter added that Mr. G. A. Monk (Waikanae) still occupied the appointment of deputychairman. By reason of Mr. Lees’ association with the Appeal Board in the Wanganui district over a lengthy period, ho had been considered most suitable for tho chairmanship of the Manawatu Board while Mr. Seddon wa.4 away. However, the reconstitution of Appeal Boards would be receiving consideration and then tho representations of the Fanners Union would be considered. A protest was also voiced at the Appeal Board reading the reports of tho production committees on cases, after the giving of decisions instead of beforehand. An assurance that the replacing ol farm labour was practically impossible, was given by Mr. J. L. C. Merton, placement officer. A Wairarapa visitor at the meeting, Mr. It. B. Ivebbell, who is a member of the National Council of Primary Production, after hearing all that had been said and also a recital of specific instances, observed that the Manawatu Appeal Board was really, by its decisions, sabo (aging tho war effort. The Board might not realise it, but that was the position. Tlio Army did not want men at the ex penso of production—that had been definitely stated by Army spokesmen. The trouble being experienced in the Mana watu had not occurred in the Wairarapa. “It is your duty to go to Wellington with your facts because the National Council of Primary Production has been assured that if an Appeal Board does not carry out instructions, it will be replaced,’’ he said. The secretary, Mr. liees, said the Army had been very helpful in releasing men from camps and the Manpower Officei had also assisted excellently. The meeting set up a deputation to tilt National Council in Wellington next Wed nesday, on the matter. The deputation will comprise Messrs Linklatcr, Keillei and Rees. Subsequently, the meeting had before it the production programme for 1D43-44, showing increases needed in wheat, potatoes, pigmeats, eggs and beef. In other commodities such as butter, cheese, wool, etc., the same amount as this year was needed. Elementary Education “A man of education should at least be ablo to write his name legibly. You can tell the person whose signature this is that I made this observation,” said tho Chief Justice (Sir Michael Myers), to a witness in tlie Supreme Court, Wellington. His Honour said that if a sig nature of that nature came before him to be deciphered, he would send it back and require an uliidavit as to its autlieu ticity. Boardinghouse Destroyed by Fire Green vale House at Stewart JsJaud, a well-known boardinghouse with 3b bedrooms, was completely destroyed by fire early yesterday evening. Only somo bedding and kitchenware were saved. The lire was first noticed in tho boiler room at the back of the house and soon spread to tfio main building. Attempts to check the liames were unsuccessful because of the dense smoke. There was only one guest at tho time. The building was owned by Miss C. V. Thomson, and was insured for £2OOO. The furniture was covered to tlie extent of £BOO. Churchill Club in Gisborne. An enthusiastic public meeting called by the Mayor of Gisborne (Mr. N. 11. Bull) formed what is believed to be the first Churchill Club in tho Empire. By a coincidence the meeting, although an nounced previously, followed the cabled report of a similar club formed by Danish boys. The objects of the two clubs, however, are different, the inten tion of the Gisborne organisation being to honour Mr. Churchill and remember his great services to the Empire and in later years to continue to revere his memory and keep his name before succeeding generations. TAKE CARE—TAKE “BAXTERS” Baxters Lung Preserver is pleasant to take and acts quickly. This rich, Ted remedy soothes and penetrates, quickly breaks up a cough or cold, and is invaluable in cases of night coughing. Get better —get “Baxters.” Baxters Ltd., Colombo St.j CJi.Gh*