EVADING THE CALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4601, 3 July 1917, Page 2

EVADING THE CALL.

SHOULD DESERTERS’ PROPERTY BE FORFEITED.

-At the sitting of the First Wellington Military Appeal Board at Palmerston North Mr D. McLaren drew attention to the number of cases that were taking place of men being drawn in the ballot and not being called by the Defence Department for months after. The Board also knew of one or two cases where men had- enlisted and'Were ready to go to camp and had not been called upon. Whilst farmers. business men and family men were making sacrifices, there was a great responsibility upon 'the Defence Department in getting hold of " the men lie had referred to and getting ithe.ni to eamo at the earliest possible moiiient. Personally, lie knew of the cases of men who had been drawn in the ballot two or three months ago, and had not been called up, and the strongest should be made to the Department on the matter. The Board was anxious to get men for active service, but unless the Department set an example, some 'of the value of their \vxsrk would be lost. Captain Walker said if men were allowed to be overlooked in this way there was no doubt a mistake on the part of some junior officer. There wore some notorious cases in the district. The police' have had these cases in hand, and had not been able to locate the men. They may have got away from the Dominion to Australia.

Mr McLaren: This matter requires every investigation. I would not make this statement unless I had good reason.

Air D. G. A. Cooper (the chairman) endorsed what Air AlcLarcn had said.

Captain Walker said there was no doubt that some cases had been magnified, though there may have been some instances of carelessness. For instance a man may be drawn in a ballot, turned down, and was still seen about, and people would perhaps think lie had not been called up. Personally, he thought the most drastic steps should be taken by Parliament iii tlic case of deserters, and legislation should be passed forfeiting the property of all deserters. The public would be behind the Government in this action, and it would no doubt stop a good deal of what was going on/in this way. These deserters may have been helped by other people who were against conscription themselves. Captain Walker said lie would forward tlie Board’s representation to the Department. and if supplied with the names of any men referred - to lie woidd send them on also.

Mr AlcLaren : If I supply the names I am nob going to be put off with an excuse. Whilst we are sending men away with responsibilities, young men should not be allowed to evade their duty. Captain Walker said he quite agreed with what had been said.