Military Appeals Cause Loss Of Time

Northern Advocate, 19 December 1942, Page 4

Military Appeals Cause Loss Of Time

In a remit received from the Bay of Plenty branch of the Auckland Provincial Farmers’ Union the view was expressed that in regard to appeals against military service, reports on the position of reservists by Primary Production Councils should be accepted by Manpower Committees without personal appearance in clear-cut cases. This, it was stated, would save the time of reservists and witnesses, and also conserve tyres and benzine. Mr.'R. W. Strugnell (Omokoroa) said that in some cases reservists were required to travel up to 20 miles. The opinion was expressed in a remit from the Bay of Plenty branch that in view of the acute shortage of farm labour youths of 18 and 19 years should be retained in the country, military training to be limited in their case to three months a year, in the "off” season. The same branch also affirmed that a general review of the country’s manpower should be undertaken immediately, with the object of replacing single men fit for overseas service by over-age men and youths of from 16 to 19 years. It was considered that until this was done no man who served in the last war should be required to serve in the present