BOARDS DIFFER

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9619, 27 March 1917, Page 5

BOARDS DIFFER

CASE OF A CATHOLIC PRIEST THE QFESTION OF A MINISTERIAL CERTIFICATE. Press Association. BLENHEIM, March 26. At tho hearing of the appeal of the Rev. Father Patrick Fay by the Canterbury Military Appeal Board to-day, copies' of newspapers, were produced containing a report ol: the Archbishop s appeal in respect to .the same priest m Wellington, where the case, was adjourned sine die with the condition that the case be rdhoard before the Second Division. The chairman. Mr. Evans, S.M., gave an important, far-reaching decision regarding the Minister? a certificates. Ho said it was a mistake to have the P*V sonal appeal heard before one board, and the Archbishop*)*appcalbeforo anethcr. There was nio Minister s ccrti licate attached to this appeal, rl regretted he could not follow entirely the decision of the "Wellington Board Ho did not consider tho Appeal Board could put any condition on the Mims tor’s certificate unless the evidence justified the hoard’s overriding Die certificate. The certificate prmia facie was Bufficent evidence of hardship and °. e ‘ came conclusive evidence of hardship unless evidence do the contrary was adduced before tho board. The duty■ ot producing such evidence if it existed fay on the military authorities. If no such evidence were produced the certificate was sufficient evidence of hardship and should bo given effect to without qualification. As the certificate had been issued in respect of this priest this board would act on it as no evidence to the contrary had been brought before the board. The apP e: ‘ J would he adjourned smo die without the condition imposed by the vvellington Board.