TRUTH REQUIRED

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 107, 1 November 1941, Page 7

TRUTH REQUIRED

A WARNING GIVEN

ARMED SERVICES APPEALS

(P.A.)- • AUCKLAND, October 31:

A warning- that appellants deliberately making false statements were liable to punishment was given by the Crown representative, Mr. F> J. Cox, at a sitting of the Armed Forces Appeal Board. Mr. Cox said there were penal sections under the regulations and mis-statements could not be made with impunity. . .

The board was reviewing appeals on the grounds of undue hardship and conscientious objection by a watersider, Arnold Kennedy Samuel Schlesihger, which were originally heard in July. On the hardship appeal the reservist had had his case adjourned sine die. n

Questioned by Mr. Cox, the appellant reaffirmed his previous evidence that he was the sole support of his widowed mother, with whom he lived. He reiterated that he was paying £4 a week towards the home, including £1 iOs as outgoings on the house itself. His mother received £1 a week widow's pension. .

Mr. Cox said that when the case was originally heard he had some doubts about the veracity of the appellant. "I have had inquiries made, and I find that the statements made are not correct," he added. "The statement about £1 10s paid in respect to the home was not true and Mrs. Schlesinger received the full'age benefit of £1 10s."

S. R. Vincent, of the State Advances Department, who was called by Mr. Cox, said his Department held a mortgage on the property owned by Mrs. Schlesinger. By an ararngement made last April payments under the mortgage totalled 15s a week.

Mr. Cox said the weekly payments on the house were 4s 3d. The total payments in respect of the property were thus 19s 3d'a week. At the time the appellant made his original statement there were no arrears in rates.

Another witness, H. G. Anthony, of the Social Security Department, said a beneficiary receiving the full age benefit of £1 10s a week was entitled to another £1 a week from other sources. If the beneficiary was known to be in receipt of £4 a week, witness said he was sure his Department would not approve of the continuation of the pension.

The chairman, Mr. C. R. Orr Walker (to the appellant): Either you or your mother has made a, mis-statement. You cannot both be right.

Appellant: Well, I must have overestimated, matters.

The chairman said that the appellant had obviously misled the board by lies and had thereby committed perjury.

Mr. Cox submitted that the appellant had deliberately made false statements with the intention of deceiving the board. On that ground alone, he urged the dismissal of the appeal.

The chairman said he thought it was the duty of the Crown representative to report ,the matter to the Director of National Service.

The appeals on the "ground of both hardship and conscientious .objection were dismissed. ; ~ ':" "