Armed Forces Appeal Board’s Last Meeting

Northern Advocate, 5 September 1945, Page 3

Armed Forces Appeal Board’s Last Meeting

To mark the conclusion of its activities an informal meeting of the Armed Forces Appeal Board and the staff that has been associated with the board during its six years of work was held in Whangarei yesterday afternoon. Formal farewell of the staff' was taken by members of the board and appreciation expressed of the assistance given by the first secretary (Mr R. Gray) and later by Mr F. Smith, as well as by the Manpower Officer (Mr F. H. Keeble), with whom the board was closely associated, especially in the latter stages of its activities. During the years that the board has been sitting it has received 9092 appeals against service in the armed forces and, in regard to many of these, there were a number of rehearings so that the number of hearings would be well on to the 12,000 mark. As well as these appeals, many thousands of applications for release from service were also considered. The gathering had been arranged by the Manpower Officer (Mr. Keeble), and Mr. Smith, of his staff, and lately secretary to the board, as the board had functioned as a part of the National Service Department. The first speaker was Mr. N. Horrobln, the oldest member of the board through length of service, who spoke of the loyal staff and the -.plendid assistance given members by' Mr. Gray, the first secretary, and later Mr. Smith and Mr. Keeble. He said that with the assistance of these officers the board had been able to carry on its difficult job. He was happy, said Mr. Horrobin. that (his work had now come to an end. Speaking of the co-operation that had always existed between the board and lire Manpower Department. Mr, Keeble said that he, as Manpower Officer, bad fully appreciated the difficult task of the board and Ihe able manner in which this task had been carried through.

Held the Balance The board had to hold the balance be - tween the armed forces and industry as well as consider i lie personal aspects of each case before it for deliberation and decision. Ho spoke of the esteem in which the previous chairman, the late Mr. Rodney Coates, had been held by all with whom he came in contact, and concluded by extending best wishes to all members. The co-operation of the various Government departments with the board was favourably commented upon by Mr. A. J. Magee, a former board member. He said I that, this co-operalion had been of assistance to the board in its deliberations. In connection with outside organisations he mentioned especially the assistance given by tlie Primary Production Council. Northland could be proud of Ihe ability of the heads of the various Government departments centred in the area, said Mr. Magee, who also referred to the passing of ihe laie chairman, Mr. Rodney Coates, and regretted that he could not have lived to see the conclusion of the board’s activities. Having taken Mr. Magee's place on the board when Mr. Magee resigned, Mr. F. Tercel spoke of the happy relations that had existed between board members anc; the staff. Speaking for Mr. Gray. Mr. Smith said that he was sure that Mr. Gray would like him to express his appreciation of the amicable relations that had always existed between the board members and the staff, and Mr. Smith said that he himself had appreciated this happy relationship. Pleasure that the need for the board had ceased to exist was expressed by Ihe board chairman (Mr. W. Jones). There had been many difficult cases lo consider, and it was often difficult for (he board to reach a decision, but there had net been, to his knowledge, one division taken over a decision. The board had made its decisions as it saw the position and the needs of both (be country and the individual.

He expressed appreciation of the services rendered ihe board by Mr Gray, Mr. Smith and Mr Keeble. as well as all members of (lie staff, both past and present. The assistance given by his colleagues on the board was also tire subject cf favourable comment by Mr. Jones. He concluded by saying thal it was now llie duty of all to do everything possible to bring peace and prosperity once again to our country.