MILITARY SERVICE.

Grey River Argus, 23 December 1916, Page 5

MILITARY SERVICE.

■ m ... .. ,-t THE HAMILTON APPEALS. SHORTAGE OF FARM LABOUR (Per Press Association*) HAMILTON, December 22. •during the hearing of a number of appeals for exemption from military scrviec at Hamilton Major Conlan, military representative, said that he was' certainly struck by the apparent great shortage of -dairy and . farm labour in the Waikato. He thought' this knowledge should be made as general as possible, so that men from other astricts might be induced to . come here, as wages appeared to be good, might be possible for the Government Labour Representative to keep a record of the men. wanted and to circularise the Agricultural Associations in other parts. Exchanges of labour with other districts might be' possible. The board agreed that there appeared to be a distinct shortage. SITTINGS AT TIMARU SON OF UNNATURALISED GERMAN HIS APPEAL DISMISSED TIMARU, December 22. The Military Service Board opened its sittings here to-day. E\ G. Wightman secretary of the Harbour Board pleaded that he was the sole support of his mpther and sister. The case was adjourned sine die. . Of three brothers, one a plumber, another an accountant, and the third a student, the latter was drawn in the ballot and did not appeal. The . other two appeals were, allowed on medical certificates. ■ : A gardener who had been in camp and was discharged on sudden death of his father stated that there were eight sons. One was killed in action, two had returned wounded, one was pensioned and the other returning. He was the chief support. of his mother and sister. The appeal was dismissed on the ground that it was "insufficient. A master baker who is his own fore man and carter, employing three married men, said that he cannot get men or sell his business. The case was adjourned sine die. A farmer at the Levels with 200 acres has leased a farm and the moth, er was receiving the rent. He ap pealed that had financial obligations The case was adjourned sine= die. A jockey, of Rivertpn, said he had .two brothers in khaki and that he supports his mother and seven children. The appeal was dismissed as the mother would be better off with the allowance. A road contractor with horses andplant had four brothers at the front. One was killed recently. The case was adjourned sine die. the Chairman saying that the family had done well, and the appellant could do valuable work in contract ploughing. The appeals of two motor mechanics and a salesman were refused as the dependents would be better off with the allowance. An insurance agent was allowed three weeks and a picture operator who has two brothers at the front, six weeks to make arrangements. A postal clerk had his., caes ad journed sine die, as two other single brothers if called could get away with smaller sacrifices. An Albury coal miner was let off in public interest on his employers' request. He had also been rejected as *nfit. .;'.'• - One : case was postponed for a few days pending proof of age. One case was dismissed as 'the appellant did not. appear. A Pareora farmer with 50 acres in wheat asked for time. Of five brothers two had been y rejected and three were married. The' appellent was al lowed to the end -'of Feburaryl , A railway employee appealed. He has no dependents and his appeal wa s dismissed. ' A taxi driver whp had been in camp and had been discharged as unfit said he was willing for home, service and his suggestion was approved if fit. ••-..', A young man, a Christadelphian, objected on religious grounds. His father appeared and : produced the constitution of the denomination,. Decision was reserved. ■' G. L. Arras, a son of an unnaturalised German, appealed: that he fear ed that he would be «iinder suspicion and blamed if anything, went wrong. He had corresponded . regularly witb relatives in Germahy^and had as much sympathy with* Germany as with Brit am. The appeal .was disallowed and the attention of the Defence Depart ment is tp be drawn to the expression of sympathy. . ' . The Board resumes here next week.