ANOMALOUS POSITION

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXX, Issue 9678, 24 September 1941, Page 2

ANOMALOUS POSITION

MINER EXEMPTED FROM OVER--3 SEAS SERVICE CALLED FOR HOME DEFENCE An anomalous position was disclosed when the Martha Gold Mining Co. (Waihi), Ltd., appealed before the District Man-power Committee against the calling up for home defence of J. Paterson, a miner for- , merly employed by the company. It was stated by the mine superintendent, Mr J. L. Gilmour, that the reservist had been called up for overseas service and an appeal had been lodged by the company. This had been allowed by the Armed Services Appeal Board, provided the reservist did his Territorial training and remained in his present occupation, that of a miner. After this decision had been given Paterson liad been called up for home defence, and was now in camp. The appeal had been on tho grounds of public interest; hut so far as the company was concerned, Paterson might as well have gone overseas, as he was no longer in the employ of the company. The company asked that he he released from camp. Mr Wilton asked Mr Gilmour whether it was going to disorganise the company’s operations to any extent if Paterson were allowed to remain in camp, and pointed out that Paterson was in camp and they did not wish to bring him out unless it were essential in the public interest. Mr Gilmour stated that it was important to keep up gold production. After further discussion decision was reserved.