THE APPEALS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17335, 25 November 1916, Page 10

THE APPEALS.

SITTINGS OF THE BOARDB. APPLICATIONS FOR EXEMPTION HEARD. OTAGO CASES. [Per Press Association.] DUNEDIN, November 24. The Military Appeal Board for Otago 6at. to-day at Milton. Seven appeals wore set down for hearing. The first appeal, that of John Hamilton, was allowed, as a mistake had been made, appellant not being in the first division. He had been married for ten years Alexander Lockhart appealed on .the ground that he was not in tho first diyision. having been born in 1868. The appeal was allowedThomas Brownlie Lockhart. brother of the preceding appellant, appealed on the ground that as he had no brothers'! in the first division he. did not_come within the provision; of Clause 35. Tho appeal was allowed. Fred Clark, forty-two years, single, appealed on tho grounds that Lis enlistment would be contrary to tho public interests in his calling as a bootmaker and woMld cause hardship to others, a-a ho was the support* of a mother aged sixty-six. Decision was reserved till December 4. David Clark and Jasper Clark, farmers, appealed on tho ground that their calling up would bo contrary to •the public- interest. Evidence was given that tho father of the appellants was past, hard work and if his sons were called up tho productivity of the farm would be. reduced. Tho board decided that David Clark should bo called up now and his brother in a month. Andrew Hedley Peattio and AA r illiam Alex Peattie, farmers, also came before the board. ' The former asked for exemption till about May to enable him to put things on a proper footing, and the latter for total exemption. The caso of AA r illiam Peattie was adiourned sine die on condition that he remained in the same occupation. The case of. Andrew Peattie was adjourned for two mouths to enable arrangements to be made to let him go. CANTERBURY AFPEAf-S. BOARD TO SIT AT TIMARU TO-DAY. Messrs J. S. Evans. S.M., and J. D. Millton, members of the Military Appeal Board for Canterbury, left Christchurch yesterday for Timaru to attend a sitting of the board there to-day. ' EXEMPTION CLAIMS. CASES BEFORE .AVELLTNGTON BOARD. [FpoM Ora CoimESPOKDF.NT.] AVELLINGTON, November 24. Sixteen appeals against the operation of tho family clause of the Alilitary Service Board have now been heard by the AYellington Military Service Board. The sittings have all been in Taranaki and other farming districts, and, it is interesting to note the attitude taken by the hoard in face of the demand put forward that appellants were entitled to-special consideration .because they are engaged in the production of foodstuffs. Tho Magistrate, Mr Cooper, is associated with Mr David M'Laren, the well-known Labour representative, who formerly sat for the Wellington East seat in Parliament, and Mr Perry, a farmer. Out of the sixteen appeals only one has been allowed. Another is reserved for further consideration, and the remainder have either been dismissed or the appellant informed that at the expiration of a certain period he would be required to go into camp. In the solitary case of exemption there were three brothers, two of whom decided to enlist when part of the evidence had been heard. Tho board considered it fair to allow tho youngest to remain at home., engaged in farming. Three classes of decisions have been given. There are the cases in which appeals have been dismissed, and tho man goes into camp; others in which appellants have been allowed a certain amount of time te settle their affairs, and the one case in which the appeal was allowed. It is clear that the lington Board is firmly of opinion that nobody shall be allowed exemption because he is engaged in farming, or some other important industry. Nor has the board followed the Russian system of permitting one in a family of brothers to remaiii at homo if the others go into the King's service. It decided against two brothers in a well-to do family who objected to leaving their farm. . Both go into camp, the board being of opinion that no hardship will ensue. APPEALS IN THE NORTH. [Per Peess Association.] WHANGAREI, November 24. The Military Service Board commenced its sitting at. Whangarei today, Mr Burgess, S.M., presiding, with him Messrs G. Elfiott'and John M'Caw. Major Conlan is acting ascouncil for the Department. Seven appeals carao before the Court. The first three cases were those of three young men, named M'Kinley, engaged in farming. Robert John M'Kinley said he was working on his father's farm. His father was not in good health and the conduct of the farm rested' upon appellant and two sisters. If ho went to the war it would mean ruin for the farm, as the other brothers had their own properties to look after and would not help. Thomas AVilliam M'Kinley, another brother, single, said that he. had a farm of 117 acres. He represented that it meant great personal loss if ho wont to the war. It was not possible for other members of the family to work the place for him. Charles M'Kinley married in oune, 1915, also objected to go for a similar reason. He would have to leave a place of 140 acres without adequate management. After evidence had been heard at great length in each case the Court refused exemption in the cases of Robt-i t John and Thomas AVilliam, but adjourned that of Charles for a month. Frank Morwood Eccles, fancy goods dealer, appealed against < being compelled to leave his busfeess without proper provision for management. The appeal ivas dismissed. John Hamilton, of Hakurangi, butcher, appealed against leaving his , business. Exemption for three months ! was allowed. R. Beehro. carrier, was granted two months' extension of time so as not to interfere with wool carting.