RELIGIOUS GROUNDS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 142, 15 June 1917, Page 6

RELIGIOUS GROUNDS.

INTERESTING APPEALS TO-DAY QUAKER SINCE THE WAR. Two appeals on the grounds of religious objections were heard by the First Auckland Military Cerv.-ce :ioard to-day. Wm. Rlanehard. farmer. Mangcre. who made a formal oath to the Board, appealed on the ground that he was a member of the Soc;e:y or Quakers, but he was quite willing to perform work under military control.

The appellant produced a signed form by which he had gained exemption on religious grounds from the Territorials.

This, the chairman pointed out, was not effective, and could not apply under the Military Service Act.

Appellant said he joined the Society of Friends about eighteen months ago. and had been brought up in the Methodist form nf religion. The chairman said the Boanl could not give effect to the objection on conscientious grounds, as the appellant, under the Act. shoulel have belonged to the Sociotv before the war.

Appellant produced a letter from the Minister of Defence, in which the writer pointed nut Unit an appeal could he made on religious grounds, and the Board had the power, if necessary, to grant exemption. The chairman: You did not tell the Minister when you joined the Quakers, and that makesall the difference.

Appellant said ho thought that the Board would have the power to grant exemption, hut in any case lie was engaged in an essential industry. Appellant, 25 years of age, said he was farming with his brother. 22 years of age, a property of 87 acres, which they hail owned for two yours. They grew potatoes and onions.'and did dairying. Last year they grew three to four acres of potatoes, hut intendeel growing 15 to 20 acres and milking more cows. Since they had possession the place had been improved. To Major imilnn: lie had another brother who had been before the Boanl. His brother could manage if he went away. His main grounds were his conscientious objections, and he was engaged

farming. The' chairman: The mere fact that you are in an essential industry does not release you from military service. You must also show that you are indispensable, and that production would suffer.

Major Conian said he had received a circular from the (amp Commandant that men who had religious scruples, but who did not come under Section IS. might be posted to the Ambulance ami Army Service Corps, but this could only be done in cases believed to be genuine and in which the conduct had been good.

'lhe chairman stated that the Roanl had no alternative but to refuse the appeal on both grounds.

A SOLICITOR'S PLEAS. THKL- MONTHS' LEAVE ALLOWED. Erie Bampicd, solicitor. Bavswatcr, appealed on the ground of hardship. Hi? aunt and uncle were dependent upon him. and lie had two brothers, who were on active service. lie also had Used conscientious individual religious objections to taking life.

The office staff of his employer? ( alder and Goldwater. was also depleted and he had important business on hand.

Mr. Goldwater. his principal, wrote supporting the appeal. Bampicd being his managing clerk. He asked for an extension of three months.

Appellant said he belonged to the Brethren, which, the chairman pointed out. did not seem to have a definite doctrine. On that ground, therefore, the Board would have to dismiss the appeal, but could recommend non-combatant work to the military authorities for appellant.

With regard to the hardship, appellant said that he had lived with his uncle and aunt since childhood. His calling up had greatly upset them. He hail two sisters, one being married and residing at Manurewa. He wanted total exemption on family grounds, or three months on liusineßS ground".

The Board grantcel exemption for three months.

SPLENDID FAMILY RECORD. A. Thomas, of Mount Kden, who volunteereel with the Thirtieth Reinforcements, was recommended leave till ISth October. It was shown that appellant was the remaining son of a family, one of whom bad died of wounds, another was killed in action, and three were on service, one having been wounded. The Board took the opportunity of complimenting the family on it* fine record.

The appeal of Wm. Sands, jun.. farm manager. I'ukcoware. who said he hail a power of attorney over a farm which he was managing for his mother, father, anil sister for a brother on service, was adjourned sine die or until the brother returned from the front. Leo A. Walsh, director of the Kohimarama Flying School, was granted leave sine elie. Extension of leave to August 23 was recommended for Harold Stott, indent agent. Auckland, and A. B. Aimingcr, carrier. Ponsonby. to August 23. Charles 11. Maekwood. dairy farmer, of Patumahoe, pleaded hardship on the grounel of financial responsibility respecting his farm of '.Mi acres. Appellant said he worked the place without assistance. He had been milking lil cows and over during the last two years. He had a brother, a farm labourer, at Remuera. He had not approached the Trustee Board in his district. The Board decided to adjourn the ease till August l(i in order to ascertain what could lie done with the farm.

George W. Cook was granted exemption for his son. Herbert A. took, on the ground that he was under military age. and was a half-caste Maori.

MARINE OFFICER. The Northern Steamship Company appealed on behalf of John V. Huthe. second oHiecr of the steamer Clansman, on the ground that he was engaged in a firs' essential industry.

The company wrote stressing the sear city of oflicers.

Roland Hammond, assistant manager of the company, said that during the last six months the company wanted ten extra men for relieving, but they were not obtainable. Two other oflicers had been drawn in the same ballot, but the company was not appealing for them. The steamer to which he was attached was trading between Auckland and northern ports, carrying freight and primary products. To Major Conlan: Ruthe had joined the company during last year, and was previously with the Anchor line. Th,' men not being appealed for were not so experience.! as Rtithe. The case was adjourned 6ine die.

A FAMILY SUPPORT. • •' ' r Louis G. Ross. Ponsonby. said he was the eldest of a family of' five boys and three girls. He looked after the home and paid his mother, who was a widow, £2, and sometimes more, per week. One brother was an engineer on a troopship and did not contribute to the home. Another brother was with the Sixth Reinforcements and did not give anything from his pay to the home. Another brother was 17 years of age and at work as a clerk. the remaining one being at school. Two sisters were married, and one was at home. Appellant was the sole support of the family since his father died, ten years ago, since when he bad had a hard struggle to keep things going. That was one reason why he had not married.

To Major t'onlan: There was a small amount paid off on the home, which they were buying. His mother had nei otheT means. He would endeavour to arrange with hi- brothers to support the home if he was. as he expected, called up before the Second Division.

The mother gave corroborative evidence, and the case was adjourned for inquiry. MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS. Francis R. Bennett. Devonport (Mr. A. Moody) said he waa quite willing to c.o on service with the next draft, but wanted certain financial assistance, which he outlined. The appellant had a brother on service. The Board, after considering tin- circumstances, decided that it could not make a recommendation, as the family could arrange the

Wm. G. Davis, farmer. Mangerc, applied for extension of leave till September to sell out liis land ami stock on -i leasehold property. lie- had a wile. father ami mother depending upon him. Leave till September _0 was granted.

Allan A. O'Neil. Henderson, appealed on the ground of occupation, he being an orehaidist and vegetable grower, lie was supporting his mother, and the wife anil children of a brother, who was on active service. Altogether he had three brothers on service, and one had been killed iv the Boer War. The Board decided to adjourn the case sine' die.