CHURCH AND THE WAR

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 27, 1 August 1917, Page 7

CHURCH AND THE WAR

APPEALS FOR EXEMPTION.

Representing his Grace Archbishop O'Shea, Mr. H. F. O'Leary appeared before the Third Wellington Military Service Board this morning in connection with the appeals for exemption from service of the following:—John Francis Welsh, Marist Brothers, teacher,; Wellington; James Eccleton, Catholic priest, Reefton; Hugh I. M'Donald, Catholic priest, Wellington; and Aloysius P. Jeft'cott, theological student, Greenmeadows.

Counsel said that the position in regard to the Marist Brothers had been fully gone into by the board- and the position was not changed. The Chairman (Mr. H. J. Beswick)_: It is a question if it has not; the position now has certainly become more acute. ■

Captain Baldwin: The position has altered so much, Mr. O'Leary, that one of the Brothers has been sent into camp.

Mr. O'Leary: Yes, that leaves them with fewer teachers.

In the cases of the priests, adjournment sine dio was granted, the matter in each instance to be reviewed before the First Division is exhausted. The appeal on behalf of the Marist Brother was adjourned until Friday. In the case of Jeffcott, the theological student, it was mentioned that he was an Australian, had been three years in New Zealand, and intended to go back to Australia. His appeal'was dismissed, and the board decided to recommend that he be placed in the New Zealand Medical" Corps.