DID NOT SPEAK ENGLISH

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 126, 21 February 1941, Page 6

DID NOT SPEAK ENGLISH

Cypriot Called For Military

Service Through an interpreter Christos Sotiri. a native of Cyprus, who Ims been in New Zealand for 17 months, told the 'Wellington Armed Forces Appeal Board yesterday that though his appeal against military service was mainly because of his lack of knowledge of tin- English language in; was prepared to do his part if he could master sufficient English. His case was adjourned for 12 months to give him this opportunity. Counsel for appellant was Mr. I). R. Richmond. The interpreter was Mr. D. Gerondis. Mr. Richmond explained tiiat the appeal was based on tlie grounds of appellant's lack of knowledge of English and that he was not a naturalborn British subject, and therefore not a member of the national reserve. He had been born in Cyprus in October, 1914. Cyprus became a British possession in November, 191-1. lie submitted that appellant had achieved by annexation merely a statutory nationality.

The Crown representative, Mr. C. O. Bell, agreed that appellant was nor. a member of tlie lirst division of tlie national reserve. 'Pile interpreter .-aid that Soliri laid been a restaurant worker since coming to New Zealand and had had little "P portunity to learn English.