AFTER THE BALLOT

Nelson Evening Mail, 19 February 1917, Page 7

AFTER THE BALLOT

SEAMAN WHO LEFT NEW ZEALAND.

It was stated' before the Third Wellington Military Service Board that a man for whom the secretary of the men's Union ((Mr "W. T. Young) was appealing had left New Zealand in avessel, since being drawn in the ballot. Captain Baldwin (the military representative) remarked that the man thus •became a deserter. ■Mr Young : That is rather peculiar. Captain Baldwin : A man is not supposed to leave until after his appeal is heard. Mr Young: A man is a free \mtil his appeal is determined. Captain Baldwin : That' may 'be your reading of the Act, but it is not the correct one. ;Mr Young: I don't know', so much about that. Captain Baldwin': We shall have to take steps, anyhow. The Act was read to Mr Young. Mr Young : But is there not a final • Appeal Board? < Captain Baldwin: No, none has ever been set up. Mr--Young: Is. there not provision H>r it in the Act? Captain 'Baldwin: If the Minister pleases to set.it- lip. The chairman: He has not thought fit yet. The chairman:. Well, what are you trnin<r to do about it? Captain Baldwin: X I should like Mr Young to bring me a complete list, of the "men in his union, and, as far as he cian, the number of men en staged on Union Company services and. al Ith e other services. . ' .Mr ' Young: With, all deference, I don.'|i feel disposed to do; that. Captahv' Baldwin: . Very well; the Sbardi can hardly decide whether a man i.« essential unless it how many men there are and what they are: doing. ' .. *' ! ' ■ Mr Young: T may tell ybu that there are (roughly) about 4000 men on our books, but T"don't think you are entitled to know the names of, the men in out organisation. Captain Baldwin: I' don't want the nanies, but the numbers. . Mr Young!: -Captain Baldwin already has: the numbers, and, if. he says he does not -want the names, may I as* what he does' vyant ? ' Captain Baldwin: I want sonifi verification of their numbers and the employment thev are in. I will subpoena Mr' Young toget these particulars.