WAR SACRIFICES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24711, 13 September 1941, Page 8

WAR SACRIFICES

EVASION BY EXEMPTED MEN APPEAL BOARD COMMENT SUPPORT FOR CONTENTION (P.A.) AUCKLAND. Sept. 12. Further comment upon the need for some sacrifice by young men earning high wages who were exempted from military service owing to their occupation was made by the chairman of the No. 1 Armed Forces Appeal Board. Mr C. R. Orr Walker, S.M., when an appeal affecting an electrical wireman, aged 24, was being heard to-day. “This is one of those instances to which I referred yesterday," said the chairman. “Because of his exemption the reservist is earning from £8 to £9 a week, and has so far made no sacrifice." The appellant’s employer said the reservist had actually offered to go overseas. Asked why the reservist had not joined the Home Guard, witness said he had been doing a good deal of Overtime, although witness saw no reason why he should not join. The appeal was adjourned sine die, a condition being that the reservist should join the Home Guard within 14 days. Cases quoted in the city to-day gave support to Mr Orr Walker’s contentions. An employer who recently asked two young members of his staff to return at night so that some urgent war work might be completed was surprised when they refused because they were going to a wrestling match. Subsequently, they informed him that they had agreed between themselves that one would return to work and the other would go to the wrestling. - Both young men had been exempted from military service on account of their occupation. ESSENTIAL WORK COMMENT ON CHOOSING OF EMPLOYEES (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Sept. 12. “ It would not do for an employer to pick and choose among his employees as to which is to do essential work and then come along and ask for exemption.” said the chairman, Mr C. R. Orr Walker, S.M., at a sitting of the No. 1 Armed Forces Appeal Board to-day. when commenting upon an appeal for a single man who had been chosen by his employers to do essential work after he had been called in an overseas ballot. The reservist concerned was a fit man of 23 years, and at the time of being drawn in a ballot lie was doing not very essential work, said the chairman. Then six weeks later he was chosen by someone to do work that might be essentia] in six months' time. To allow appeals in such circumstances might lead to abuses, for it would be possible for employers to select favourites and give them essential jobs, even after they had been drawn in a ballot. While he did not suggest that the present appellant would do that—the firm had a. good war record—there was the possibility of abuses creeping in. and the position had to be watched. The appellant; We think we used sound judgment in choosing this man. The chairman; It is a pity you did not refer the matter to someone. YSu took a soldier and trained him for this job. The hearing was adjourned until November. FARMER’S SPIRIT PRAISED APPEAL FOR THIRD SON WITHDRAWN (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Sept. 12. “ This is a splendid spirit,” said the chairman of the No. 1 Armed Forces Appeal Board, Mr C.. R. Orr Walker, S.M., when an appeal by Egbert Warmington, a farmer, for his son, was withdrawn. “The boy wants to go, and the father doesn't want to stop him,” Mr Walker added. “This man has two sons serving.” said the Crown representative. Mr Cox, “and he is making the sacrifice of allowing his third son to go.”