MILITARY SERVICE BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16978, 14 April 1917, Page 3

MILITARY SERVICE BOARD

POSITION OF TUB BOOT TRADE.

A CASE REHEARD. (Peb Unitkd P«es3 Association.) AUCKLAND, April 13. Tho Military Scrvioo Hoard, at tho request of tho Dcfenco Department, granted a rehearing of tho appeal of George Thos. Rogers, a boot trado employee, employed by Messrs Adam Moore (Ltd.), who was granted an extension of timo, to show that tho boot trade could release moro men of tho First Division for active serviec. Major Conlon said it was evident that ono big firm could handlo all tho military boot work in New Zealand. 1~10 was going to suggest, on instructions received, that thoro woro eligible men doing private work for employers who could very well be spared. A lot of high-priced and unnecessary boots were being manufactured for women to tho disadvantage of the. military authorities. Never boforo had their been such extravagance, especially in women's footwear, owing to tho shortness of skirts. Is should bo known that boots for this purpose woro being made costing £3 10s, and moro. Evidenco was given by a leading boot manufacturer that no boot operators bolonging to tho First Division were indispensable, as others could easily bo taught to fill their places. 110 previously employed tho man whoso case was tinder review, and found no difficulty iji teaching an apprentice, who was doing tho work satisfactorily. Tho board regretted tho previous decision, but did not reverse it, as tho extenBion of timo granted to tho appellant would expiro this month.