Appeals For Reservists In Secondary Industries

Northern Advocate, 1 December 1944, Page 6

Appeals For Reservists In Secondary Industries

Appeals connecter: yrmcrpaily with men engaged in secondary industry, were reviewed today by the No. 1 Armed Forces Appeal Board, comprising Messrs. R. Coates (chairman), N. Horrcbin. F. J. Tercel and R. Gray (secretary). Following the nation-wide comb-out o£ men eru ployed in secondary industry, and required for military service, the board will review appeals tor men who, because of their age and grading, are eligible for service.

Giving evidence in support of his appeal, Ernest Parsons, dairy, larmer, of Mata, said he had left the farm to a sharemilker last June and was new employed in a quarry. He had left the farm because the farm work was too much for him with the additional duty of having, as a single man, to do his own housework and cocking. If the sharemilker were taken for service the operation oi the farm would become his responsibility, but he would not be able to"milk as many cows. Were net other qualified farmers engaged in other industry? he asked.

Not With their own farms, board members informed him.

The secretary said that tire purpose of bringing back tire sharemilker from tiro Pacific to 'rein increase production had been defeated by Parsons leaving his farm. „ Sharemilker employed by Parsons, Monty M. Williams, directed to Parsons’ farm bv the manpower officer, giving evidence in the appeal for him. said he had increased the herd from 40 to 53 this season.

To the secretary, Williams said tlrat in signing an agreement with Parsons for two years, he had net realised that, being under the direction of Ihe manpower officer, he could be directed immediately to other work. Parsons' appeal was adjourned sine die, conditional cn his reluming to his farm, while that for Williams was dismissed. Government Garage Work Keith A. Adams, motor mechanic, called for service with the Air Force, was appealed for by the Post and Telegraph Department, evidence being given by Mr. G. W. Gilchrist, who said that owing to the shortage of mechanics release of Adams would be difficult. In addition to P. & T. Department work, the garage catered for vehicles from the Health Department, the fleet of which' had been increased owing to more nurses being employed, and the Armed Forces and the Education Department. With no replacement of vehicles, their condition had deteriorated, necessitating much more extensive repair work. In all. more than 80 vehicles were being serviced, and constant overtime was being worked. Efforts at replacement had been unsuccessful. The apoeal was dismissed, conditional on Adams not being called before March 1. Appealing for Thomas Smith, electrician’s assistant, Mr. P. T. Beattie, for Waro Coal Mines Ltd., Hikurangi, said that in the mine there were 17 electric motors, with an aggregate horsepower of 825, most of them working for 24 hours a day and requiring careful service. Smith was concerned with earing for these motors, and with the electrician, the only other skilled electrical worker, was on call day and night. The appeal was adjourned sine die. The Radio Corporation of New Zealand appealed for Leslie H. Keane, electrician. It was stated that the corporation’s manpower position had deteriorated, and with work in the Whangarei branch increasing, it would not be advisable to close it. Mobilisation would mean that a skilled workman would be lost, to an essential industry. The appeal was adjourned sine die. , , In an appeal by the Northern Publishing Company. Ltd., for Robert H. Conaghan. compositor, Mr. B. W. Crawford stated that the release of another man had reduced the labour available in the composing section of the daily newspaper, and by losing Conaghan the firm would be placed in a desperate position. No other employee came within the mobilisation category. Sine die adjournment was decided.