MINISTERS EXEMPTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16581, 3 July 1917, Page 6

MINISTERS EXEMPTION

PROTEST AT ONEHUNGA.

SUPPORT OF BOROUGH COUNCIL. The matter of the recent decision of the Military Service Board regarding the appeal of the Rev. S. J. Campbell came before the Onehunga Borough Council at its meeting last night. The subject was introduced by receipt of a recommendation from the council in committee that the council support a protest made by the Onehunga Waterside Workers Union against exemption being allowed, and that the Minister for Defence be asked to reopen the question. Mr. Morton said he regretted that the council should have taken notice of this matter, as it concerned the Defence authorities alone. Mr. Campbell's appeal had been granted in a constitutional manner, and he considered the man was being persecuted- He moved that the recommendation be expunged from the minutes.

Mr. H. J. Davies moved the adoption of the minute, and said the council, as a recruiting committee, was the proper body "to move in the matter. The council was only doing its duty in endeavouring to have such cases reopened. Mr. Brewin seconded Mr. Davies's motion, which was carried, Mr. Morton dissenting. A petition signed by a large number of memßers of the Second Division, endorsing the protest of the waterside workers, and asking the council to use its endeavour to have the case reopened, was presented at a later stage of the meeting by Mr. R. H. Ainsworth. It was agreed to receive the petition and forward it to the Minister Tor Defence when communicating with him on the subject.