CLERGY AND THE BALLOT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2944, 2 December 1916, Page 4

CLERGY AND THE BALLOT

■ ♦■ ..'. . /'.:;■:' APPEALS MUST BE.. JIADIi; .. '. The Minister of Defence was; interviewed yesterday by a .deputation rer presenting the Utoman Catholio clergy regarding the position of priests drawn in the ballot. It. happens* that Roman Catholio priests are in a very different position from the clergy of_-\other Churches, because, as they , crcr not marry, a disproportionate number, of Catholic priests mil be fllrawh in the ballot of the First Division. The Minister informed the deputation that the authorities of. every Church would have the right of appeal on behalf of a priest or minister drawn in the ballot. In the case of the Roman C&tholic Church this right will he exercised by the Bishops. If it is repreisented' to the Hon. Mr. Myersy who is the Minister responsible for 'exemptions, that a clergyman ought not .to he taken, then he will act under Regulation 9, and recommend to the Military Service Board that he ho exempted. ■ ' This rule, it may be explained, is of _ general application-. Neither tie Minister of Defence- nor any other person has the power to. exempt clergy, or any other bodies of men in- classes. Always the individual appeal must he made., cither by the mau.himsclf or- by his employer, or by some other-author-ised person, and every -case must bo dealt .with by the Military: ServiceBoard. To certain classes of" men exemption will be granted as a matter of course, but only by the Military Service Boards, and no man's oaso can come before a board until appeal has been made by him or on his behalf.