MILITARY SERVICE BOARDS

Grey River Argus, 3 February 1917, Page 5

MILITARY SERVICE BOARDS

A LIVELY APPELLANT FLATLY REFUSES, TO SERVE (Per Press Association*? CHRrBTCHURCH. February 2. There "was considerable hullabaloc at the v Military Appeal Board's sitting to-day when Mar.tin Francis Rings. £ clerk, of Caversham Street, appealed on the grounds that he was of German extraction. "Then J~am sorry for you" remarked the Chairman, Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M. __ Rings said that his father had been in New Zealand for 38 years and had been naturalised for 20 years. He had served for 22 years in the Police Force, and had then been discharged owing: to his nationality, with his discharge marked "Conduct not satisfactory." notwithstanding- the fact' that he had a • service and conduct medal. Fie had also been debarred from receiving the pension to which he was iustly entitled. Appellant therefore appealed on the grounds that he had ni support his parents, with provisions that he would serve were his father granted his proper .rights. The Chairman said that that part of the appeal had nothing: to do with the board and, from his knowledge of the case, there were several allegations in the statement. Appellant was liable for service and he would nave to do so. Appellant: "I am not ffoing to ro to the war; that's straight." The Chairman:. "Oh! Aren't you? The appeal is dismissed." ■ Appellant : "Then you'll carry me th£re. if I go. I tell you I am not g-o---rng-." Appellant's father and mother then Put an appearance and harangued '.he Chairman in loud excited terms 'Blood is thicker than water and don t you forget it!" shouted appellant. "Why didn't they put me on Somes sland at the start?" demanded the father. "He is not going- to the war," asserted the mother. •T he Cl Y airman declined to allow either of the parents to make a statement and called 'for the sergeant to •remove the trio. ( "Talk about your British fair play Ihe Germans are fairer than that!" was appellant's parting- shot. 'I am glad to .bear it," rejoined the Chairman. There was considerable noise in the obbv pfter the trio's departure, b*t eventually peace was restored.