Armed Services Appeals

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 265, 7 November 1941, Page 7

Armed Services Appeals

SITTING OF BOARD IN PALMERSTON NORTH

A number of appeals against serving in the overseas armed forces, came before No 4A Appeal Board in Baimerston North yesterday, mostly on tne grounds of public interest and undue Hardship. Members of the Board arc Messrs, xl. B. Lusk (chairman), F. R. Field and W. H. Barry. Mr. J. S. Wauchop appeared as Grown represenl tative. Decisions were as follows:

i G. A. A. C 5. Wagstalf (Mr. L. Laurenison), aged 40, asked for postponment of caning up till the end of march, as ne was engaged in farming 150 acres 'and 71 acres at Pohangina in partnership with a returned soldier brother. Tuey milked 65 cows and carried 250 ewes and 200 dry sheep on the properties. —Not to be called up before March 15, 1942. I James Downing, slaughterman, was appealed for by A. G. Baigent, (Mr. Gngicy) contractor at the Balmerston North abbattoir.—Adjourned till the first sitting of the Board after December 31.

J. S. Shand, of Palmerston North, hardware and plumbers merchant, (Mr. Ongley) asked for exemption until a brother was free from his * 1 collective' ’ Territorial training and able to take reservist's place in the business.—Not to be called up before March 31, 1942. J. H. Wilson, farm labourer, of Opiki, aged 25, (Mr. Rutherxurd) was appealed for by his father who runs 62 cows on 66 acres. The whole of the farm work was done by this son and a daughter. They supplied a cheese factory.—Adjourned sine die, reservist to remain in the Home Guard. The Director of National Service appealed for F. R. G. Cowdell, railway porter, aged 21, at Palmerston North, who has been three years in the service. ! Mr. M. L. Bracefieid, assistant traffic manager, said there was a shortage of railway staff and it was necessary to keep a trained staff not only for the running of the ordinary service but also to provide for any emergency which might arise such as troop trains and the like.—Adjourned sine die. Rev. Thos. O’Shea lodged appeals for the following ecclesiastical students and lay brothers on the ground of public interest: —L. F. Foote, W. F. Gregory, K. M. Kelly, F. M. L. McKay, A. W. Cotter and H. F. Fulton. —All adjourned sine die.

S. B. Woods, of Palmerston North, employed at a timber treatment process, appealed on the grounds of undue hardship, his case being adjourned for six months.

R. V. Morgan, accountant’s clerk, was given till th« end of November owing to examinations. E. J. Pringle, (Mr. G. I. McGregor) appealed for M. A. Cook, aged 25, farm labourer, of Linton, who helps to milk 55 cows on 165 acres. All that was asked for was that reservist be not called up before March ?I, the Board agreeing to that. J. H. Fowler, farmer, of Bunnythorpe, (Mr. G. C. Petersen) appealed for his son, J. B. Fowler, aged 26, who is the only help on the farm of 57 acres with 32 cows supplying Glaxo.—Adjourned sine die, the question of Territorial service being left to the Man Power Committee to determine.

J. Corbett, farmer, of Kairanga, (Mr. G. E. Rowe) milking 105 cows on 165 acres appealed for his son, Patrick Corbett, aged 23, who, with a boy, was his only helper.—Adjourned sine die. A. C. Booth, farmer, of Opiki, (Mr. McGregor), milking 65 cows all on his own, was granted a sine die adjournment.

B. E. Bobin, theological student at the Seventh Day Missionary College at Longburn, and completing his studies this year, was granted a sine die adjournment on the ground of public interest.

C. S. Adams, aged 21, also a theological student at the Longburn College, and completing his second year of training, had his appeal adjourned sine die. Conscientious Objector

A. A. Dunlop, agricultural student, (Mr. A. M. Ongley) appealed from Territorial service on conscientious grounds, appellant having been graded unfit for overseas service. He said that as a result, of his readings he had formed strong views against militarism. That was while at Otago University. His views were based on his own convictions and he couldn't agree even to non-combatant service. A short time before war broke out there was a movement at Massey College to form a military unit but he had refused to take part. His attitude had been such as to bring him into disfavour with the professional board but he had not incurred such, the board treating him very fairly. An effort had been made to get him to change his views without success.

Answering Mr. Wauchop appellant said war was wrong and would not accomplish anything. It was “a beastly slaughtering mess.” Mr. Wauchop: Doesn’t every man think the same thing? Dunlop: That is the sorry part of it. Ho thinks the same but doesn’t do anything about it. Counsel: What would you do if New Zealand were invaded?

Dunlop: I would carry on as far as possible at my calling rather than indulge in killing. Counsel: Would you not protect a woman being outraged? Dunlop: That is a matter for the militarist to answer rather than myself because war would have brought that about. Counsel: You know New Zealand might be attacked. What would you do?

Dunlop: I suppose I would “clock him on the beak” but to kill a man is wrong. It is difficult to say what one would do in a given set of circumstances and I might be carried away in the heat of the moment.

Mr. Wauchop: I am quite sure you would have enough courage to do it. You wouldn’t stand idly by. Dunlop: If you and I went into it it would make the mess Mtwo men bloodier.’*

Reservist Baid doing pon-combatant work would only release another man for active part in the conflict. Dunlop agreed that, while it had faults, New Zealand was a very desirable place. Counsel: And in the final washingup you will be found, not with the Quislings but facing the aggressor. Dunlop: I don’t want to be classed a Quisling but I trust I won’t have to take up arms.

Answering the chairman, Dunlop said he did not belong to any pacifist organisation.

The appeal was allowed.