KEY MEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 October 1940, Page 8

KEY MEN

distinctive badge issued IN SOUTH AFRICA.

WORK IN VITAL WAR INDUSTRY.

Key-men in the engineering and power supply industries will be provided with a distinctive badge called the “On Service” Badge, the DirectorGeneral of War Supplies for the Union announced. His statement was as follows: —

The home front is responsible for the production of all equipment for the defence forces, and men in industries vital to South Africa’s war efforts are being mobilised by the Director-Gen-eral of War Supplies, Dr. H. J. van der Bijl, for effective work under a scheme which will give them the same standing on the home front as their comrades have on active service. These key-men will be allowed to attest, and upon doing so will be supplied with a distinctive; badge establishing their status. It will bear the inscription, “On Service” —“Op Diens,” and will carry the familiar orange’ flash, and its wearers will be on service on the home front.

The labour supply of essential workers will thus be maintained. The necessary machinery has been set up and the new scheme will be immediately effective.

Many essential workers are anxious to enlist for active service, but the nation’s war effort demands that they should be utilised to the best advantage—in the production of vital supplies. The Director-General of War Supplies is calling for classified returns from engineering industries (other activities will be dealt with by a separate Government committee), and after investigation men classified as essential will be offered the opportunity of attesting. They will take the usual defence oath and the orange flash with the “on service” badge will denote that fact. Further, the Director-General of Supplies, in co-operation with the Defence Department, will also ensure that the Army is provided with engineering artisans essential for work in the'military sphere, as distinct from those who will be retained in industry. It is emphasised that the scheme will establish the status of the essential workers and will give complete reassurance to those of them who feel that, by remaining in their civil jobs, they are shirking their military obligations.

The closest control will be exercised over the issue of badges, and a record of every individual badge will be kept as part of the country's official war records. The wearing of the badge by any person other than the individual to whom it has been issued will be prohibited. There is the closest co-operation with organised industry and the trade unions, and the nation-wide organisation is now in operation. While action is being taken as expeditiously as possible, workers are reminded that the task is of considerable magnitude and there may be some delay before every case can be dealt with. In the meanwhile they are urged to be patient and to remain at their posts.