MANY APPEALS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24103, 23 October 1941, Page 11

MANY APPEALS

TERRITORIAL DUTY 4471 MEN INVOLVED YEAR'S WORK OF COMMITTEE Over 5000 appeals for postponement of or exemption from territorial service were dealt with by the Auckland Area Manpower Committee by September 30, whiei: was roughly the end of the committers first year of operation. The appeals affected 4471 reservists, and it was stited yesterday that this represented about 25 per cent of the men drawn for territorial service in the area. An analysis of the year's figures shows that appeals affecting 219 men were withdrawn prior to the cases being heard by the committee. The appeals of 53 men were allowed on the ground that they were drawn in the wrong division or class. In the case of 215 men appeals were struck out because of their permanent medical unfitness. Appeals concerning 3(50 reservists were dismissed unconditionally, while those affecting 10 more were struck out for want of prosecution. Adjournments were granted in the case of 419 men because they were temporarily unfit. On the grounds of public interest or undue hardship, adjournments for definite or indefinite periods were granted in appeals affecting 683 men, or less than 4 per cent of the total balloted territorial reservists in the area. The territorial training of 723 men was postponed on account of their liability for overseas service. To meet family or employers' circumstances, adjustments in the commencing date of service were made in appeals for 1247 men. Slightly over 400 personal appeals based on conscientious objection were referred to the Armed forces Appeal Board.

''lt has been the experience of the committee that employers generally have assisted in every way," said the seen:tarv, Mr. L. N. Harris, yesterday.

"Thc.v have been anxious to ensure that as many as possible of their balloted employees should undertake their territorial training with a minimum of postponement." A relatively small proportion of the appeals had been made by the reservists themselves, Mr. Harris added. Of these a great majority had sought an adjustment of the starting timo of their training on account of family circumstances or because of their studies.

In a number of cases based on conscientious objection it was found that this ground had been lelt inadvertently in the appeal form. Many others who rested their appeals on this basis had said that they were willing to serve in a non-combatant capacity.