YOUNG FIT MEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24821, 18 February 1944, Page 4

YOUNG FIT MEN

RETENTION IN TRADES COMMENT AT APPEAL BOARD Group appeals by firms engaged in essential war work and other necessary work in connection with the home front were considered by the No. 1 Armed Forces Appeal Board yesterday. Those appealed for included munitions workers, engineers, machinists and seamen. Concern at the number of young fit men who had not yet had any military training was expressed by Atr. A. M. Samuel, a member of the board. The chairman, Mr. C. R. Orr Walker, S.M., agreed that from time to time evidence showed that quite a number of young single men were allowed to remain in industry, although they were not fully qualified in their professions or trades. However, when it was proved to the board that production would suffer without these men or their substitutes* there was no alternative but to allow them to remain in industry until replacements could be found by the district manpower officer or by employers. Firm's 40 Appeals A total of 40 appeals, one of which was later withdrawn, were lodged by Hardley's, Limited, for coppersmiths, blacksmiths, welders, brass finishers, can spinners and other tradesmen. The works manager, Mr. J. Greenhalgh, said the firm had contracts for munitions, equipment for American hospitals, naval work, and the manufacture of tinware for the dairy industry. Contracts for the manufacture of milk cans were well behind schedule. All tlie appeals were adjourned sine die. Sine die adjournments were also granted in respect of appeals for three employees of Alex. Donald and Son, fellmongers (.Mr. Lovegrove), and appeals for two seamen and a marine engineer working for Imperial Chemical Industries (N.Z.), Limited. Shortage of Workers The impossibility of obtaining competent workers for a specialised type of work was pointed out during the hearing of applications by JO. Le Hoy Limited, and Cairns and Woodward, Limited, tent and cover makers. Both these firms had extensive orders for the supply to the armed forces of tents, tarpaulins, hatch covers, gun covers, kit bags and jungle gaiters. It was stated that the weight of an average tent was in the vicinity of 2001b., and it would be impossible to employ women machinists. Three appeals by Le Roy's and two by Cairns and Wqodward were adjourned sine die.