MILITARY SERVICE BOARDS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 19, 17 October 1917, Page 8

MILITARY SERVICE BOARDS

WHAT CONSTITUTES POLITICAL INTERFERENCE? By Telegraph—Press Association. Chrlstohurch, October 16. Mr. J. S. Evans, S.M., "chairman of the First Canterbury Military Service Board, interviewed regarding the statements made at Hawora by the chairman and members of tho First Wellington Military Service Board with respect to the Government's memorandum 'concerning the dopletion of skilled farm workers and the policy to Vi followed with regard to production, said: "I cannot quite understand the attitude taken up by the First Wellington Board, as reported by the Press wire. My ' board has from time to time been notified with regard to the policy of the Government on national industries. This, in my opinion, is not only necessary to enablo the boards to discharge their duties under the Act, but I have on more than one occasion asked for a statement of tho tfoveriunent policy on national industries. In my opinion tho functions of tho boards under the Act are twofold. Ono ground of appeal is that by reason of his occupation the calling up of a reservist for military serrice. is contrary to the public interest, and another is that by reason of his domestic circumstances or any ether matters the calling up of tho reservist is a cause of undue hardship to tho man or his dependants. On the former ground the board has to consider the interests of the country apart altogether from any question of personal hardship to the appellant himself. On the second ground, tho board has to consider only tho question of hardship to the appellant himself or. his dependants. "My board would strongly resent political interference in individual appeals made on the sccond ground referred to, but thore is in.iuy opinion a wide difference between political interference in individual' cases, and a declaration of Government policy in respect of tbo interests of the country. In my opinion, military sorvico boards cannot rightly exercise their judicial functions in determining Appeals on grounds of public policy unless thoy 'know what that policy is. 'The Government is responsible for that policy to the samo extent as it is responsible carrying on the country's Bhare of the war. The only way tho boards can discharge their duties under the Act is to bo kept informed of tho Government policy with regard to essential industries. I do not look on Slinistorial notifications of Government policy on essential industries as any interference with the independenco of the boards, but oh tho contrary I consider such notifications essential to tho proper di6«hargo of their functions where the appeal is mado on grounds that the calling up of tho reservist is against the public interest." •