A DUNEDIN YOUTH

Evening Star, Issue 14628, 26 July 1911, Page 4

A DUNEDIN YOUTH

OBJECTS TO ENROLMENT. WILL SPOIL SPORT AND TRADE. One of the few recalcitrant Dunedin youths who have resisted the order to enrol 'for military training appeared in the Police Court this morning. His name was John Renney, and his appearance was such as to please the eye of any recruiting eergeant. A plumber's apprentice, and approaching his 20th birthday, he discovered no conscientious scruples against the processes of instruction in martial cunning, but hnfed. his defiance of the law upon selfinterest—his sport (which we undersatnd to lie yachting) and the exigencies of 3ns trade.

When faced with the charge of failing to enrol lie replied "Guilty." Mr Widdowson: What is your reason?

The Lad: One reason is that it interferes with my trade. I am going for my ticket, and muet have time. Mr Widdowson: You mean that the military training would interfere? Well, you must consider that after enrolment. The Lad : Oh, I should not think so.

Mr Widdowson : Well, what else? 'Die Lad : It interferes with my sport, for another thing. Mr Widdowson : You are pleading that it would interfere with your trade and your (•-ports. Don't you think it is a manly thing to go in for military training?

Tiie Lad (shortly) : No! Do you road the newspaper? —Sometime* ; .not always. I suppose you have been interested in the other cases of the kind in the Dominion?— Not all of them. I can't en}' I have read all the reports. " i take it,"' remarked the Magistrate, "tliat you have Tend gome of them at any rate. Well, we have a right to expect that our youths will grow up as manly, law-abiding citizens. You are just on the very threshold of your manhood, and it is deplorable that you should set the law at defiance. You sown, from what you have said, to )>e fond of .sport, and 1 cannot see why you should make this unreasonable objection. It is an unreasonable objection, if you let your common sense prevail —if you will think it all over carefully—you will sec it is your duty to register. With regard to military training interfering with your business, that sort of tiling has been "provided for by the Act. It is not your trouble at the present tune, at any rate. In regard to your sports, lam glad you take an interest in sjxirt, and 1 hope it is legitimate sport. This training can do you no harm. It is one of the boat sports you could go in for, if it comes to that, besides serving your country. Sub-inspector Cruikshanks explained that the Defence Department would not press for punishment if the defendant would register himself. The proceedings were brought with a view to show defendant the folly of standing out and not complying with the law. With tho exception of a few who soeniod to take a peculiar view of the matter, all tho youths of the Dominion are complying with the law. Magistrate : I wan hoping that Dunedin was going to be exempt from this question of Hon-registration. The Sub-inspector suggested that if the rase were adjourned for a time perhaps fie lad would reconsider his decision. Magistrate (to the lad) : What do you •say to that? The Lad : Oh, I don't know. The Magistrate: You had better consider the matter very carefully, and let your common cense prevail, as I have said. There is the law, and you arc setting it at defiance, which is a deplorable thing for a young fellow like yon. I won't deal with you to-day. 'Die case will be adjourned for seven days.