MAORIS FOR THE FRONT.

Evening Star, Issue 16279, 23 November 1916, Page 3

MAORIS FOR THE FRONT.

SYDNEY, November 22. A Maori contingent has arrived, en route for the front. The men were entertained at tho theatres. military service board. SITTING AT PALMERSTON NORTH. AN APPEAL DISMISSED. The Military Service Appeal Board sat at Palmerston North yesterday. John James and Stephen Williamson, two brothers, who are farmers at Waituna \Vcst, applied for exemption, the grounds of appeal being : (1) That enlistment was contrary to tho public interest because of their occupation ; (2) undue hardship because of the difficulty of obtaining export and other labor for a Large farm. (1,400 acres). Stephen Williamson, sen., father of the appellants, said he could not do -active farm work. One of his sons was in charge of -the stock and tho other of the cropping. Besides his sons, he employed a resident ploughman, a casual hand, and a The place could do with eight men. The sons worked all the time on the farm. Tho Government valuation of tlie property was £20,000. The sons gave evidence that they were constantly engaged on tho farm, and reckoned that they were doing their duty better on the farm than by porno- to the front. ° , 'The board dismissed the appeal of Stephen Williamson, and reserved their decision concerning John Williamson for five months, provided that he remained in his present occupation during that time. ° RESOLUTION BY METHODIST SYNOD. Tho following resolut/in was adopted at the meeting of tho Methodist Synod held last evening ; That this Synod note with min"led. feelings the continuance of the great war. Behoving that our cause in this war is a righteous one, we pray that tlie God of all battles will give success to our onus. Vt e again place cm record our loyalty to pur King and Empire. Wo express our intense grief that a professedly Christian nation should be- guilty of such inhuman deeds as, for instance, the Belgian deportations. This Synod rejoice in the spirit of unity that exists amongst the Allies. They also express their deep sympathy with all the bereaved and suffering through this feaiful conflict, and pray that an honorable peace will be secured at an early date.” LECTURE ON FRANCE, There is something particularly attractive about the subject" of Dr W. Marshall Macdonald’s lecture, which is to be delivered in the Burns Hall on Wednesday evening next. France, since the war began, lias become especially endeared to us. She has been so valiant, so true, and, it must be admitted, so surprisingly strong from tho military standpoint. Wo have read so much of her wonderful transport and hospital organisation, too, that the opportunity of hearing more, and from one who has seen it and helped in it, is one not likely to be lightly passed over. Dr Macdonald, it will bo remembered, was for several months in charge of one of the largo military hospitals in France, and lias but recently returned to Dunedin' He will tell some of his experiences on Wednesday, and illustrate his lecture with a series of lantern slides showing life in such an hospital, and somo of tho historical buildings now being used for the treatment of sick and wounded soldier’s, the proceeds of tho lecture are to be devoted to Red Cross work in Otago and Southland, and this fact in itself, apart from tho attractiveness of tho entertainment, should ensure a “ bumper house.” OVERSEAS CLUB. Work is going on well in the club room. Yesterday a number of cases filled with Belgian comforts were sent away to make room for further cases in readiness for packing. Donations of discarded clothing will be acceptable to fill up the omptvcases, and money will be gladly received to buy material. The committee are looking forward to making a good round sum at the forthcoming entertainment. Donations : Wakari School pupils, 8 pairs socks; Mrs Macgrcgor and Mrs J.H., Belgian goods; Anon., felt hats. [The cable news in this issue accredited to ‘The Times ’ has appeared in that journal, but only where expressly stated is such news the editorial opinion of ‘ The Times.’]