MAN-POWER DIRECTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25853, 25 May 1945, Page 6

MAN-POWER DIRECTION

appeal follows court * SUMMONS DEPARTMENT’S ALLEGATIONS “Complaints have been. received that this girl is always in town. said Mr D. A. Bell, of the National .Service Department, when Miss Violet Edna Whitty appealed to the Industrial Man-power Committee yesterday against a direction that she should accept employment at the Nurses’ Home of the Dunedin Public Hospital Mr W. McAlevey appeared tor the appellant. , .. Mr Bell said that the appellant had been directed about 14 weeks ago, but had. ignored all the regulations. It was only after she had been served with a summons to appear in court that she took steps in regard to the direction and lodged an appeal. She had appeared before a magistrate, and the case had been adjourned until the appeal was heard. Mr Bell said that Miss Whitty, who up until August last had been an usher at the Strand Theatre, contended that she was required at home to look after her mother. He added that 'in spite of this contention she had been able to take a holiday in Timaru. The chairman (Mr M. W. Grantham): Will you justify your action in not lodging an appeal within seven days? The appellant": They:seemed: so Certain at the man-power office that 1 was telling lies that 1 felt the committee would take up the same attitude. Counsel explained that the appellant did not know that the committee was independent of the department. Miss Whitty told the committee that she \yas required to keep house for six adults, including her two brothers, who had recently returned from overseas. Her mother could do only light work because of ill-health. Her purpose in going to Timaru was to take home a small nephew. • Mr A. Mcßae (a member of the committee): It would be a pity if a person could not have a holiday now and again. Mr McAlevey: Yes, it seems unfair tnat this should be brought up against her. The 'appellant added that she .was not always in town, and when she was, she was usually doing the shopping. ' The committee reserved its decision.