§ Lieut.-Colonel Bolesasked the Minister of Labour whether he will give special consideration to applications for postponement of military service by students for the teaching profession who, by reason of a long period of illness during their schooldays, have not reached such a point in their studies as to enable them to take the Higher School Certificate before the commencement of their military service.
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§ Mr. IsaacsPostponement of liability for call-up may already be granted on grounds of hardship in the circumstances stated provided that the student will not, have reached the age of rig on 31st July of the year of the examination. The Umpire, who is the statutory authority in this matter, has ruled that retarded progress in general education which is the result of illness in earlier years cannot be accepted as a reason for making an exception to this rule. I could not regard the circumstances referred to in the Question as justifying deferment of calling up on the grounds of national interest.