REFUSED.

Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2319, 25 March 1914, Page 2

REFUSED.

AN APPLICATION FOR EXEMPTION.

THE FARMER AND THE FORCE This morning, Mr J. W. Poynton, S.M., refused an application for exemption from military duties, on the grounds of undue hardship, made by Kenneth Garmont. Mr John Power appeared in support of the application.

In announcing his decision., his Worship stated that if the application was granted it would mean a serious depletion in the ranks of the territorials, as many other applications on like grounds would be made.

.Applicant gave evidence in support of counsel's address that he was the only son of a widow, and was engaged on his mother's 337 acre farm, beyond Waituna. He was 22 years of age, and- up to May last attended drill regularly and the two camps. At this time he had a boy assisting on the farnij but he had since left and it had been found impossible to get another in his place. It was not necessary nor profitable to employ a man, and on drill days, when applicant is away, his mother, who is of a nervous disposition, is much perturbed. He lives 12 miles from the parade ground and parades necessitate his absence from home all day.

Sergt.-Major NicoJ, who appeared for the Defence Department, pointed out that applicant was in the same position as many others, in fact some Apiti Territorials were compelled to endure hardship in order to attend parades. Applicant had never informed tlie Department that his mother was in batl health and of a nervous disposition.