SOLDIERS’ APPEALS HEARD IN CAMERA

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9812, 8 November 1917, Page 3

SOLDIERS’ APPEALS HEARD IN CAMERA

To the Editor “N.Z. Times.” Sir. —A soldier called at my house on Sunday last and requested, me to appear in support of his appeal for an extension 01 tune. On the facts supplied me, the man ha.d a good case, ana on Monday morning 1 had inquiries made with a view of ascertaining when the matter might bo dealt with by the Military Service Board. My clerk was then informed that the appeals of men in camp were in future to bo tanen in • private, that counsel would not be heard, that it was only by the indulgence of tho authorities that balloted men were permitted to appeal, and that nothing was yet known regarding the particular case in which I was engaged.- To-day, in response to pressing inquiries from my client, I sought further information re-, garding his appeal, and was then informed that it had been dealt with on Friday last in the absence of tho appellant, and dismissed 1 ; That-is to say, tho soldier’s case was disposed of behind his hack two days before ho instructed pae! If the public are to bo asked to tolerate procedure of this kind, it is surely no more than reasonable that they should be told of it. It is significant, first, that this new departure was not taken until Parliament had -risen; secondly, that no announcement of its adoption, has so far been made through the press; and, thirdly, that men who have urgent business to attend to, whose farms are being neglected, are to bo hustled out of tho country after their appeals have been dismissed without even hearing what the appellants had to say. I submit that it should not be left to me to expose such a - gross abuse of authority, and that tho press of this country should make an emphatic protest. —I am, etc.. P. J. O’EEGAN. November 7th.