MILKMAN'S WIFE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24537, 20 March 1943, Page 6

MILKMAN'S WIFE

LONG HOOTS OF WOKE. SEVEN DAYS A WEEK The difficulties which had been caused to a milkman and his wife following the entry of roundsmen into the Army were described at a sitting of the No. 1 (Auckland) Armed Forces Appeal Hoard yesterday when W. J. Bcrrinian, of Mangere, sought the release from the Army of Thomas Percy King. The soldier, who was single, was 31 and grade 2. Tho appellant said that before the war he employed two men who assisted him in the delivery of milk. At present the only assistant he had was his wife, who started at 2.15 a.m. and went on a separate round alone. In February, 1942, King entered the Army and the other man was called up in the 18th ballot. In February of this year appellant's wife took over the round. "My wife finds that the work is much too hard for her," appellant said. "1 rise at 2 a.m., and she has to get up 15 minutes later. We work seven days a week. We have three children, aged five, eight alul ten years, and after returning from the round at 7 a.m. my wife has to prepare the morning meal and get the children ready for school. With three children to look after, it is impossible for my wife to continue working as well. It is impossible to obtain a roundsman." The Army expressed opposition to an immediate release on the grounds that the man was engaged on a special course which would occupy six weeks. A recommendation for the soldier's immediate release was made by the board.