A PROBLEM

Hokitika Guardian, 11 July 1935, Page 4

A PROBLEM

FOR BELGIAN IN AUCKLAND MILITARY SERVICE REQUEST AUCKLAND, July 10. The complications that may arise as a result of the strict enforcement of the compulsory military training laws adopted by 1 some European countries are exemplified in the case of a young Auckland resident, a Belgian. The young man, who left Belgium before he was 20, the ago at which all Belgians are obliged to commence three years’ active military training, has received instructions to report for his term of service, but finds himself in difficulties owing to the travelling expenses involved. Mr A. M. Ferguson, Consul for Belgium, * said that all Belgians who retained their nationality, whether' living in their own country or abroad, were expected to do military training. No passage-money was provided by the Belgium Government, however, for Belgians living abroad when they became of military age,, and in the latest case the young man had received instructions to report for service, but had no uieans of doing so. It has been suggested that the man should adopt British nationality, but he was not anxious to follow this course, Mr Ferguson added. Meanwhile he was confronted with a difficult problem,, and one that offered no apparent solution. ____