Railwaymen And Service With Territorials

Northern Advocate, 10 December 1940, Page 6

Railwaymen And Service With Territorials

[Per Press Association. —Copyright] CHRISTCHURCH, This Day.

Explaining why it 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 545 appeals have been lodged for railwaymen called in the second ballot.

At the beginning of November, 1940. there were 2361 railway employees serving with the armed forces overseas or in training for overseas service.

More Appeals Lodged

In addition, 584 men were under going territorial training.

In the first ballot, 638 men were conscripted and appeals were instiu:ted in respect of 139 of these.

In the second ballot, 1354 were called, and the director has appealed for 545, 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.

Would Have to Carry On

“It has to be pointed out that in respect of the locomotive running and traffic branches very few men would be available for mobilisation with the territorial forces in the event of an extreme emergency,” states the National Service Department. “In the circumstances it has been considered desirable to seek adjournments sine die in all cases. “The matter of availability for territorial training, however, will be the subject of regular and close review.”