STAFF DEPLETED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23995, 19 June 1941, Page 10

STAFF DEPLETED

RAILWAYS SERVICE

LARGE NUMBER IN FORCES

THE MANPOWER COMMITTEE

The staffing difficulties facing the Railways Department were shown 'by Mr. Jj. N. Harris, secretary to the Auckland Manpower Committee, when he appealed to the committee last night on behalf of tho Director of National Service for tho exemption from territorial service of a labourer, Frederick Thomas Hull, in tho Railways Department, on the ground of public interest. Since tho outbreak of war, he said, 3280 men had been released for service in the armed forces.

Mr. Harris said that senior and qualified and efficient, men had been replaced by junior men, and there were 1084 more to be released for service. The gross revenue in the Auckland district had risen in the past year by £354,000, an indication of the extra work being done by the system. Hull was classified as a labourer, but ho had had experience, especially in the traffic section, and in cases of emergency would bo very useful.

Mr. Harris said the Director of National Service asked for an adjournment sine die in Hull's case. His duties were more or less routine in character, but his retention would release a porter for more important duties and at the same time contribute toward the departmental policy of releasing every available fit man for service. In the event of an emergency a great burden would devolve upon the department. Gilbert S. Reid, district traffic manager. agreed. He said Hull had had extensive training in the routeing of trains. The staffing position was becoming progressively worse. The chairman, Mr. I. J. Goldstine, said the committee was of the opinion that the salient feature was that the man's retention made another man available for overseas service. 'I he appeal was adjourned sine die, provided Hull joined the departmental emergency precautions scheme. A drummer in the band at Skateways, a roller-skating rink, Bobert Samuel Adams, sought the postponement of his entry into camp until the close of the skating season in November. He said that if he went into camp immediately it would cause hardship to himself and his mother. Ihe committee reserved its decision.

QUESTION OF DELAYS

CHA 11 ?MA N' S ST AT EM ENT

Delays.which he said had occurred in bringing a number of appeals based on conscientious objection were referred to by the chairman, Mr. C. R- Orr Walker, s'.M.. during a sitting of the No. 1 Armed Forces Appeal Hoard yesterday. "It is common talk, I understand, among conscientious objectors." said Mr. Orr Walker, "that the delay has occurred through fear of somebody to go on with these appeals." This view, he "added, was entirely incorrect. The delays had resulted from the Government's desire to form new regulations to meet the conditions. A great deal of thought and discussion had to be given to the framing of the regulations, and while this, was proceeding it was natural that delay should occur. However, immediately the regulations were passed, the appeals on this ground began to bo called, and were being dealt with as opportunity offered.