Demand for Radio Telegraphists

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 24 October 1940, Page 4

Demand for Radio Telegraphists

One effect of the war, so far as the Post and Telegraph Department was concerned, had been to create a strong demand for radio telegraphists, said the Hon. P. C. Webb (Postmaster-Gen-eral) at Westport (reports “The Press”). The department for some time past has been experiencing difficulties in finding unmarried telegraphists with a knowledge of radio work for staffing of outlying radio stations. To meet the demand a school has been set up for training telegraph cadets as radio operators. The trainees are specially selected, and they will undergo their initial training in the telegraph training school in Wellington under an instructor well qualified in radio matters. Later the lads will be drafted to the Wellington radio station to be given tuition in the more advanced stages of the work. It is expected that it will take from three to four months for a trainee to qualify as an efficient radio operator. Large Number of Appeals “A shocking state of affairs,” was the description given by Mr E. Orchard to the large number of appeals against the ballot for service in the territorials, during a discussion at a meeting of the executive of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ Association (reports “The Press”). Special reference was made- to the number of appeals by employers on behalf of employees. A motion by Mr Orchard, that the association record its protest at the number of appeals, was not seconded. “Out of a total of 1900 men called up, there are 722 appeals,” said Mr Orchard. “Considering that the Empire is fighting for its existence this association should use every endeavour to have the position altered. We should use our influence to have the appeals reduced to a minimum. Colonel Hargest has told the people in England that New Zealand is in this war ‘boots and all.* It is a shocking state of affairs. It seems to me that the Govern- , ment to-day is reaping the harvest of the seeds it sowed in the last war. There are too many taking this attitude.” Mr C. Miln who presided said that while the number of appeals was large, many were from. employers on behalf of employees. Every appeal was being looked into very closely, and a very good case had to be established before exemption was granted. Many appeals were for postponement only, as for farmers desiring to complete seasonal work, and others wishing to settle their affairs. “I do not think we should rush into this before we see the effect,” he added. Packing of Butter A case for allowing the East Tamaki Dairy Company to pack 601 bof vacuum-churned butter in the standard 561 b box, for export to Britain, was submitted by Mr D. H. Renton, a Clevedon delegate, at the meeting ol the Franklin sub-provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union at Pukekohe this week. He said the company’s output, last season was 1974 tons, but, packed 601 b to the box, only 1836 tons of shipping space would be required to send it Home. This was a saving of 138 tons in shipping s£ace. The meeting decided to refer the proposition to the provincial executive of the union. Tinned Fish Not Desired Tinned fish apparently are among the goods least desired by soldiers on service, according to a letter received by an Auckland woman from her brother in Egypt. Gifts forwarded by the patriotic societies have contained a large proportion of herrings in particular, and the men have had a surfeit of them. Goods which find favour are cake, vegetable extracts, cocoa and tinned coffee and milk. Demand for Cage Birds Restrictions on the importation of cage birds, pheasants, and other ornamental birds, have resulted in a considerable demand for suprlus stock reared at the Auckland Zoo. Inquiries have been received from many bird fanciers and dealers, and the zoo authorities hope to 4 dispose of a wide assortment of stock to these purchasers during the next few months. Lesson From America The piping of the Colorado river to Los Angeles has provided the idea for the big Surrey Hills syphon, and the technique developed in the United States has made it possible for the job to be undertaken, said the Engineer-in-Chief of the Public Works Department, Mr John Wood, at the laying of the first huge pipe at Surrey Hills, Canterbury, on Saturday. Commenting on the irrigation scheme, the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, referring to Mr T. D. Burnett’s expressed view that the work should have been stopped, pointed out that land would bo required for soldier settlement after the war, and the plan should go forward if possible, if it did not interfere with the war effort. He agreed, however, that if it was going to interrupt the war effort, it would have to stop, as the country’s maximum strength had to go into the conflict.