AN ALIEN SUBJECT

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 February 1917, Page 7

AN A LIEN SUBJECT

EXEMPTED FROM SERVICE,

[N-Z. PEES 9 ASSOCIATION.!

AUCKLAND, February 21. An unusual case was before the Military Service Board to-day. August *• Weuiyer, of ’New Lynn, applied for e.vemption on the ground tin t he was an engineer engaged on mailboats, and that be was not a naturalised British subject. Appellant stated that he wa s born in London, his father having been bom in France of a French mother and Swiss father. His mother was Belgian. His parents had been in 1 New Zealand about eleven years, and neither they -nor appellant had been naturalised. To Major Conlon: He bad never been allowed to vote, and never haji regarded himself as a British subject. He had not attiwpted to become naturalised. He would pPbhahly not have bothered about making the appeal, but for the sake of his mother, who was not strong. Appellant's mother, in reply to a suggestion by Mr, Elliot that if on the continent Wenigcr would be liable for service, said she thought not, ns her son was not strong. His father died of consumption, which would bar a man from service in the armies of Belgium if it was known to be in the family. The son would probably be kept in munition factories or spniething of that sort. The Board decided that on the evidence appellant must be considered an alien subject, and the appeal was upheld.