MILITARY SERVICE ACT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17646, 26 November 1917, Page 4

MILITARY SERVICE ACT.

DEFENCE DEPARTMENT RED TAPE. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, November 24. At the Supreme Court, John M'Govern pleaded guilty to a. charge of having committed a breach of the Military Service Act by making a false declaration. M’Govern was married on August 11, 1915, and by inadvertence the clergyman who officiated put the date as April 11, 1915. This apparently placed M’Govern in the Second Division, although lie was really in the first. M’Govorn handed the certificate to tho Defence authorities, and later, oil learning of the error offered to enlist, hut the offer was not accepted. He was anxious to enlist and had sold property and suffered financial loss. The Chief Justice referred to tho Defence Department’s action as a pieco of red tape, and on the condition that M’Govern would again enlist no sentence was imposed.