WITNESS REBUKED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 248, 1 August 1941, Page 3

WITNESS REBUKED.

ATTITUDE TO APPEAL BOARD. FATHER OF AN APPELLANy. (P.A.) DUNEDIN, July 31. “Military authority stinks in my nostrils,” said Clive Wilsdcn Maitland, aged 25, from the witness box at this morning’s session of the Armed Forces Appeal Board. Describing himself as a student, ho said lie had been a lifelong opponent of military service. “What is your objection to serving in the military forces, apart from the smell of it?’’ asked Mr A. N. Haggitt, representing the Crown. “Ft. is against my principles, ’ replied the appellant. His evidence was supported by his father, Ernest George Maitland, a grey-bearded man with, a slight limp: This witness at the first question explained at length the religious education bo had given his children. After being brought back to the subject repeatedly by the chairman (Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M.), he was severely rebuked..

“You are offensive in your attitude. I’ll order you out of Court,” Mr Bartholomew said.

“You can’t expect people to he nice if you’re, taking their children away (o teach them to murder,” was the reply.

At the beginning of his cross-exam-ination, Mr Haggitt asked the witness if he wore prepared to apologise to the Court, and the witness, in answer, began another long statement. “Leave the box!” commanded Mr Bartholomew. The decision of the Court was reserved .