SKILLED MEN NEEDED

Southland Times, Issue 24593, 15 November 1941, Page 8

SKILLED MEN NEEDED

TANK BRIGADE AT WAIOURU

CASES BEFORE APPEAL BOARD

(P.A-) AUCKLAND, November 14. Because of the Army’s need for skilled tradesmen for the Tank Brigade at Waiouru, a number of cases affecting men of the desired type was considered at a special sitting of the No. 1 Armed Forces Appeal Board. Many of the men had previously been the subject of appeals, the cases, being adjourned sine die, but several cases were heard for the first time. The men most in demand for the brigade include turners, fitters and mechanics. The Crown representative, Mr F. J. Cox, said the men required must be fit and they could not be obtained from the rank and file of the Army. Up to the present the board had been exempting fitters and turners because they were doing essential national work; now they were needed by the Army and it would probably be conceded that the Army’s demands were paramount. It was necessary, however, that the men should be obtained with a minimum disturbance to industry. Mr Cox added that it would have been desirable if employers had voluntarily released the men, but they had taken the view that as the board had exempted many of the men previously it should now decide who j should go to the Army. PUBLIC INTEREST The chairman, Mr C. R. Orr-Walker, S.M., said it would be assumed that the employers appealing were patriotic and were willing to do their best to assist the Army. A question of public interest as a basis of appeal was a relative term, and it might be in the public interest that the reservists should stay in their present positions or go to the Army. Mr Cox said a proportionate number I of tradesmen would be released by the Government, but he was not able to say j how many private industry would have to supply. Captain Sinclair, assistant area officer, said men were required urgently. He gave figures showing a shortage in a recent draft and said more were needed for another draft. Mr Cox: Are these men as essential as those inside the tanks firing the guns?

The witness: Yes. The chairman said he presumed that without these men the Tank Brigade would be useless. The witness said the Army could not take men going into the Air Force. Mr Cox said that made the position worse, for many turners and fitters had already gone into the Air Force. Staffing problems were described by a number of appellant employers, but in view of the Army’s need several decided not to press certain appeals so that the reservists could be released. In a number of cases the board reserved its decision, although several appeals were again adjourned sine die. Nearly all the appellants were engaged in the engineering and associated industries and much of their work was of an important national character.