OVERSEAS SERVICE

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 July 1941, Page 6

OVERSEAS SERVICE

APPEALS AT GREYMOUTH. “ CHAIRMAN’S WARNING. After the Armed Services Appeal Board had granted sine die adjournments at Grevmouthi yesterday' after - -noon, in the appeals on behalf of two single men, farmers, the Chairman of the Board, Mr F. F. Reid said that sine die adjournments should not be taken to mean that the appeals were adjourned for all time. He said that in a comparatively short time married men would be called up, and the question of whether two single men such as those who had just been dealt with should be allowed to remain, while married men went to camp was one for serious concern. He indicated that, before married men were called to camp, a great number of the cases of single men adjourned would be called up for review. The Board dealt .with 88 appeals yesterday, and the 81 completed in the morning constituted a record for the Board for one morning. The outstanding feature of the proceedings was the fact that of the 70 appeals for mine employees, only 10 were not adjourned sine die. Of those 10 ap-; peals, one, the case of a man who had not been at work in the mine for four months, was dismissed; another, the case of a man who has joined the Air Force, was withdrawn, one was adjourned until the next sitting, and in the remaining seven, decision was reserved.

The members of the Board are Messrs F. F. Reid, S.M. (chairman), A. H. McKane, and G. M. Hall, and Mr W. F. Tracy represented the Crown. The following appeals were heard after the “Star” went to press yesterday afternoon: — G. H. Gaskell, for Boote and Party (employers) appealed on the ground of public interest in respect to Wm. Patrick Casey (miner). Robert Taylor, a member of the party, said there were seven men in the party. The reservist was a miner, employed by the party, and had been with them for a year, prior to which he had had experience at the Liverpool mine. The appeal was adjourned sine die on the ground of public interest. The appeal of Harold Dando, seaman, was dismissed, there being no appearance of the reservist and no support of the appeal by the Union Company. The appeal of Albert Edward Joseph Cornell, seaman, supported by the Union Company, and the Ship Owners’ Federation, was adjourned sine die, on the ground, of public interest, but was dismissed on the ground of undue hardship. The appeal of the Union Steam Ship Company for Frederick Gordon Thomas Brown, ship’s second officer, on the ground of public interest, was adjourned sine die. An appeal by the Director of National Service in respect to Ernest Henry Scrivener, electrical engineer, was withdrawn. Scrivener also appealed on the ground of conscientious objection. He stated that K e had nothing to, add to his evidence given before the Board previously in regard to territorial service.—The appeal was dismissed, reservist to render non-combatant service only. Joseph Skeats, printer’s assistant, represented by Mr W. D. Taylor, appealed on the ground of conscientious objection. He stated that he had nothing to add to his evidence heard previously by the Board. —The appeal was dismissed, reservist to render non-combatant service qnly. The appeal of Roy William Doolan, seaman, formerly employed by the Union Company, but now not in its employ, was dismissed. The chairman said there was no evidence to show that the reservist was still employed as a seaman. . The appeal of Thomas McGuire, oorter, on the ground of undue hardship was withdrawn. . The appeals by Gilbert, Tomasi Sawmills, in respect of - Donald Sinclair, yardman, and John Pearce Gilbert, yardman, heard on Wednesday, were dismissed, subject to reservists not being called up before NovembeThe appeal of the Waitahu Coal Syndicate for i nomas James Williams, coal miner, heard on Wednesday, was dismissed, subject to the reservist not being called up before October 1. , . . Harold Hayes, farm hand, appealed on the ground of undue hardship and public interest. Walter Hayes (father) was co-appellant. Mr W. D. Taylor represented the appellant. Appellant, in evidence, said the cattle roamed over an area of about 1300 acres. Much of the land was unfenced. The area near the railway line where there was no fence had to be patrolled at least once a day. The Railways Department had refused to fence the area near the railway. He milked 16 cows last season. There were only six cows milking when he was on public works. He was trying to get a job near the farm, and if he succeeded he would milk in the morning before he went to work and again in the evening when he came home. To Mr McKane: He had about six customers last year. The income from the farm for the year was £6l. Walter Hayes, father of the reservist, put in a medical certificate regarding his own health. He said that the country was swampy, and on account of his health he could not attempt to bring the cows in. To Mr Tracy: His daughter was 18. but could not milk. She had never learned to do so. He agreed there were thousands of girls milking now all over the country, but said that there were thousands who were not To” Mr Reid: He did not think the farm was worth keeping going as a dairy farm. It needed a lot of work on it. He would not be able to sell it at least until the Summer, when the land and stock would be at their best. Further examined about the time the stock would be at their best, he maintained that conditions on the Coast were different, and that stock on the West Coast were at their best about Summer.

To Mr Hall: He did not have enough money to employ assistance on the farm.’ He had a full-time job on a dredge. If the son could get a job handy to the farm, and he had a j chance of getting one, he could atItend to the cows before he went to work in the morning, and again when he came home in the evening. Both appeals were dismissed, subject to reservist not being called up before October 1. The Director of National Service appealed on the ground of public interest for Cecil Frank Herring, seaman. Herring, in evidence, said that he had been at sea for two years, but was at present on compensation. He was due to go back to work next week. He had no particular job to go to. but he intended to go back to sea, and did not expect anv difficulty in getting a job. He expected to get S laced with the Union Company or ie Anchor Company. ■ Decision was reserved, and the reservist was instructed that wnen he went to sea again he should tell his employer to advise the Director of National Service that he (the reservist) was again engaged. The appeal of Leo Alexander Ogilvie, 6ri z the ground of undue hardship, was struck out, there being no appearance of the appellant or his renresentative. Bruhn and Hendrv (employers) appealed in respect of James Andrew Laughton, apprentice, on the grounds of public interest and, undue hardship. Mr J. W. Hannan represented appellants. . , Mr Hannan said that all that was asked was that service be postponed-

until after September 9. Adolph Christian Bruhn, a member of the firm, said that the reservist would be out of his apprenticeship on September 9. The appeal was dismissed, subject to the reservist not being called for service before October 1. FARM MANAGER. The District Public Trustee (Mr W. Kane) administrator of the estate of William Bruce, appealed on the grounds of undue hardship and public interest for William Cameron Bruce, farm manager, and Wallace Bruce 4 farm employee. William Cameron Bruce apnealed on the same grounds.

Mr Kane, in evidence, said there were about 400 ewes on the property of 618 acres. Thirty-five cows were milked last season, and it was expected that there would be 42 cows milking this season. The gross turnover was about £l2OO a year. A brother of the two reservists was overseas.

William Clayton, farmer, of Ahaura, said he had had 30 years’ experience in farming. He did not regard the Bruce property as easy to work. It was a full-time job for the two men, who worked all hours on it. The farm had been improved considerably in the past few years, but could not be worked by one man. Farm labour was impossible to secure on the West Coast.

To Mr Reid: Both men belonged to the Home Guard, and he did not think either could be spared for territorial training. Neil Brodie McCallum, manager of Dalgety’s Ltd., Greymouth, said his firm handled the business of Bruce’s farm. He corroborated the evidence of the previous witness. The Chairman said that the Board was satisfied that if the property was to be maintained at a reasonable standard of production it would require the services of both the reservists. The appeals would be adjourned sine die. Mrs Mary Amelia O’Brien (employer) appealed on the grounds of undue hardship and public interest in the case of Ernest James Lewis O’Brien, farm hand. She was represented by Mr W. D. Taylor. Cross-examined, the appellant saict that she had had the farm for 20 years. There were only two sons working at home, and one of them was an invalid, who could do little more than assist in the milking. Both that son and his Wife aa their child were living with her. All her other children were living away from home. The reservist had been a full-time worker on the farm for the past ten years. Twentyfive of the 600 acres were cleared. . To Mr Tracy: She had eight sons in all, five of them being unmarried. Of those, one was a priest, two were at home, one was at Ru Ru, and the other was in Greymouth. To Mr Reid: She did not tell the Man Power Committee that the reservist worked part-time at the nullWilliam Clayton, a member of the Farmers’ Union Executive, said that the reservist was the only one on the farm, which was a bush farm. Farm labour was not available on the West Coast. Positions had been advertised in Christchurch, but when the apnlicants found that tney had to come to the Coast they would not take the jobs. . . The apnea.l was dismissed, subject to reservist not being called for service before September 1. Ernest Francis Baldock, farmer, appealed on the grounds of undue hardship and public interest. Mr 1. E. Coates represented the appellant. Appellant, cross-examined, said he purchased the farm in 1935. He had two brothers, one in the Wallsend mine, and the other on public works at Temuka. His mother received a pension of £52 a year. She had resided with him since he had. been on the farm. The farm was in a baa state when he took it over. There were about 150 acres in pastuie. He owed no money on the stock. There were 200 breeding ewes on the farm. The return was about £6OO on the farm last year. He did all the milkmThe appeal was adjourned sine die. The appeal by the Director pi National Service in the case of Herbert Ross, coal miner, on the ground oi public interest, was adjourned sine die. It was stated that the reservist had been employed at the Wallsend mine, but had left there to go to the Dobson mine, and the Brunner Collieries’ appeal on his behalf was con sequently withdrawn. An appeal was then made by the Director.

SITTING CONCLUDED. TO-DAY’S - CASES. The Board concluded its Greymouth sitting early this afternoon alter hearing 17 miscellaneous appeals. Tne Dispatch Foundry Co., Lta., employer, appealed for Ernest Greenhill fitter, on the ground of public interest. William Percy Hambleton, manager of the appellant company, said the reservist had been employed for eigne years and had served his time. _ He was principally engaged in mining and sawmilling work. The foundry did the major repairs for these industries. The normal complement of fitters was six, and it was now down to three. The chairman said that the position in regard to the supply of skilled tradesmen in this industry was known to the Board and the appeal would be adjourned sine die. On the ground of public interest, Walter Vivian Green appealed, but the appeal was withdrawn. Michael John O’Sullivan appealed on the ground of conscientious objection, against Territorial service, but there was no appearance of appellant, and the appeal was dismissed. S. McAra, employer, appealed lor Philip James Duffy, salesman, on the ground of public interest, but Mr. E. B. E. Taylor, for appellant, withdrew the appeal. , , , Eadie Bros., appealed for Wilfred Hugh McCorkindale, petrol lorry driver, on the ground of public interest. Mr. E. B. E. Taylor appeared for appellants. John McCallum Eadie, on behalf of the Company, submitted a written statement, and copies of advertisements. Eleven replies were received to tne advertisements but none was suitable to take reservist’s place. It took some time to learn the methods of keeping the records of petrol sales. On the suggestion of the chairman, Westland Transport Ltd., were made the appellants, in place of Eadie Bros. Ltd., in view of the merger of the companies. To Mr. Tracy: Two men previously employed in the same position were now overseas. The reservist knew quite a lot about the job before he took it, but took about six months to learn 'it properly. He did not interview the 11 applicants for the position but thought them unsuitable from the written applications. To the Chairman: The merger absorbed four employees of Eadie Bros, and 14 of Fahey’s Transport. Westland Transport had 17 permanent employees and two on part-time. The chairman said the evidence disclosed that, until comparatively recently, reservist’s work was done by two men and also that 11 applications had been received for the position. Some of the applicants well warranted the investigation of any earnest employer, but the company took no steps whatever. It appeared to be a similar case of the man looking for work but praying that he would not find it. The appeal would be dismissed.

WORK ON FARMS. T. R. Smithers, parent, appealed for Arthur Langdon Smithers, railways surfaceman and farm labourer, on the ground of undue hardship. Appellant said the reservist was 27 years of age and assisted with the

milking before and after his surfaceman work. On his day off he felled bush and did fencing and other work on the farm. He put in about 25 hours a week on the farm. When he went to the Territorial camp last year, his mother had to go into the milking shed. The farm was of 263 acres freehold and 130 acres leasehold. There were 25 cows, 30 head of ary stock, 16 pigs and 100 colonies of bees on the farm. Part of the farm was an island, and when the river rose, the stock had to be removed instantly. That happened about every three months. To the Chairman: The milking was done by hand. Another son, aged 22 years, was working on the farm. He had been called up for overseas service in the May ballot, but he (appellant) had appealed for him. Witness worked as much as he could on the farm. The reservist milked about six cows, morning and night. To Mr Tracy: He had two daughters, one, aged 25, living at home. The appeal was dismissed. An appeal by Daniel Graham Anderson, on the ground of conscientious objection, was withdrawn. James Paterson Doig, farmer, of Totara Flat, appealed on the grounds of public interest and undue hardship. Appellant, in evidence, said he was 31 years of ag'e. He was farming at Totara Flat on 322 acres freehold. It carried 420 sheep, 390 being ewes. He also carried fat stock and sold 64 head of fat cattle last year. Each year he sowed about 30 acres in pasture for green feed. He employed no one else. His mother and sister lived with him. Two brothers were in Egypt. One of them had been on the farm before goinp overseas. He had had the property since 1938, buying it in partnership with his brother. They had another farm at Blackwater, of 990 acres, with 45 head of dairy cows, 45 head of dry stock, and 140 ewes. There was a share-milker on that property, since his brother went away. The appeal was adjourned sine die. on the grounds of public interest, the Chairman remarking that reservist was doing a full-time job and had better stay there, in the meantime at Albert Christian du Fresne appealed on the ground of conscientious objection, but did not appear. . The Chairman said it was only fair to state that it was not really an appeal on conscientious grounds, and reservist should have appealed on other grounds. He had withdrawn the appeal, but asked the Board to give him time, but, as the appeal had been withdrawn, that could not be done. However, the Board would recommend' to the Army that the reservist be not called up before September 1 Mrs H. Crase (Mr E. B. E. Taylor) appealed for her son Ronald Demetrius Crase, on the ground of undue hardship. Mr Taylor said appellant was an invalid, confined to her bed, but he would call the reservist. Reservist submitted a written statement, and a medical certificate concerning his mother’s health. The Chairman said the Board was very sparing in granting appeals on the ground of undue hardship, but the circumstances in this Case were such that they thought an adjournment should be granted. The appeal would be adjourned sine die, to be reviewed in January. Rugg and Co., Ltd., employers (Mr W. D. Taylor) appealed for Leslie George Vernon Harcourt, lorrydriver, on the grounds of undue hardship and public interest. Hugh Morgan, manager of the company, submitted a written statement. He gave details of reservist’s work. Reservist could be probably replaced as a driver, but not on the mechanical side, as he did the running repairs. That morning, the Placement Officer had advised him of a man that might be suitable. The appeal was dismissed. Loftus Paul Ronchi, butcher, of Waiuta (Mr. J. W. Hannan) appealed on the ground of public interest. Appellant, in evidence, said that prior to his commencing the business, a public meeting was held in Waiuta, and the Government was asked to provide a butcher’s shop. As a result, the Meat Controller came to Waiuta. There was a population of 600 in Waiuta. To Mr. Tracy: He had not thought of the Army when he took up the business. He had one brother, aged 21, who had not been called up, and another in a coal mine. To Mr. McKane: McElwee and McVicar still carried out deliveries to Waiuta three days a week. He (appellant) had more than half the trade. „ , To Mr. Hall: Since he was called up, he had tried to sell the business. James McGregor, secretary of the Inangahua Miners’ Union, said it was his union that approached Ronchi Bros, to start business in "Waiuta. Edward B. E. Taylor, solicitor, of Greymouth, said he had put an advertisement in the papers for a butcher for Runanga. He got two replies, one from a man of 2(J, liable for military service, and the other from a married man in Christchurch, who required accommodation. The Placement Officer was unable to assist.

The Chairman said the Board was not unmindful of the difficulties of the township of Waiuta, but at the same time, conditions were such that it might become necessary for people to put up with inconvenience. There were two men of military age in the business, and the Board was satisfied that one at least would have to render service. In order to give an opportunity for them to. come to some arrangement, the appeal would be adjourned until the next sitting at Greymouth, in about three months’ time.

G. P. Rea, farmer and butcher, of Ross (Mr. E. B. E. Taylor) appealed for his son, James Gerald Rea, an employee, on the grounds of public interest and undue hardship. The appeal was dismissed at Hokitika in April, but a rehearing was granted. Appellant submitted a written statement, and a state of his financial position; also a petition from the people whom he supplied with meat. Early in the war, he said, the reservist wanted to enlist, but witness persuaded him not to do so. To the Chairman: The business was leased in 1939, but reservist was still working on the farm. The reservist corroborated his father’s evidence. He said he was 22 years of age, and had been on the farm all his life. A. R. Elcock, solicitor, of Hokitika, gave details , of appellant’s financial position. It was impossible to separate the farm and business accounts. The Chairman said the Board had decided that the reservist should stay where he was, in the meantime. To a certain extent, he was rendering a public service, and the appeal would be adjourned sine die, on the ground of public interest.

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS. Douglas Lester Smith, winch-dri-ver, of Ahaura, appealed against Territorial service, on the ground of conscientious objection. Appellant, amplifying his written statement, said he was 19 years of age and had always belonged to the Christian Church. His parents had belonged to it for 18 years, and meetings were held in their home. Examined by the chairman, he said that there was nothing in. the Scriptures about Christ succouring soldiers under military control. He was willing to serve in any capacity as a civilian, as long as it did not conflict with his views. If he was a member of the Territorial Force he considered he would be aiding in the war. He agreed that he would assist wounded in the streets if Greymouth was attacked, but as a civilian, and his mo-

tive would be the motive of Christ. To Mr. McKane: He had prepared the statement handed in himself. To Mr. Hall: If the place was under martial law he would still stand out for what he thought to be right, even if it meant going before military tribunals.

The appeal was dismissed, reservist to do non-combatant service only. .George Colville Menpes Angus, civil servant, Greymouth, appealed on the ground of conscientious objection. Reservist handed in a written statement, in which he said he took . his stand as one who followed Christianity and who tried to follow in the footsteps of his Master. By no ingenuity could he reconcile the teachings of Christ with war. He could hot believe that the only way to overcome aggression was by armed force, and could not support evil in the hope that good might come, for only evil could come out of evir. He took an active part in the church and Bible

class, was a member of a St. John’s Ambulance class, a voluntary blood transfusion society and the E.P.S. He added that he was 25 years of age and an office bearer of the Presbyterian Church. The question of military service had first cropped up when he joined the church as a Communicant member about ten years ago. To Mr. Tracy: He felt that in under-, taking military service he would not be doing what Christ would want him to do. He was not suggesting that he was ultimately and finally right, bur that was the position he took up. To Mr. McKane: If the country was invaded and, as a member of the St. John’s Ambulance he was ordered by the military to go to Hokitika, he thought he would go. The appeal was allowed. Douglas Ralph Edwards, plumber, of Christchurch, appealed against Territorial service, on the ground of conscientious objection. Appellant handed in a written

statement. He said he was 22 years of age and a Communicant of the Church of England. He had held his views since he was 16 or 17 years of age. He had- studied the Christadelphian Creed with his brother, who was a member. To Mr. Tracy: He adopted the Christadelphian views on war about six or seven years ago. He had often mentioned his views on war to members of the family and close friends, before war began. To Mr. McKane: He was prepared to help in a military hospital. The appeal was dismissed, reservist to do non-combatant service only, with a recommendation that he pe posted to the medical corps. The remainder of the reserved decisions from the Greymouth sitting will be given by the Board, later, in Christchurch.