AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10057, 23 August 1918, Page 6

AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP

A CLAIM FOR EXEMPTION. Press Association GISBORNE, August 22. Among the appellants before the Military Service Board to-day was Joseph V. McDonald, stock dealer, Gishomo Willock) who claimed American, citizenship. In a letter to the board appellant said that his papers wore destroyed in the conflagration following on the big earthquake at San Francisco. Cross-examined by Captain Beale (military representative) McDonald said ho was boffi in San Francisco and lived there for 22 years. His father and mother were Americans. Witness had taken out no naturalisation papers. Captain Beale: “You own property ‘ hero ?”—“I have leased it.” “Are you prepared to enlist with tho New Zealanders and he transferred to tho Americans in France?” “No, certainly not.” “Then you. are attempting to evade service?”—“Not at all.” “Do you vote?”—“No.” “Have you ever voted here?” “No.” “You have interests in this country. Don’t you think it is up to you to assist in defending the country? You are a married man?”—“Yes, with two children.” “Surely you are prepared to go to tho front and fight for them?”—“That is a different matter.” “Isn’t it up to you to fight for the country which contains your interests?”—“l hold allegiance to one country." The chairman said that appellant was a married man with two children ano he should he prepared to protect their interests. “America,” ho said, “is as deep into the war as we are ourselves.” Mr Willock: “Y’ou are quite prepared to .go if up by the American authorities?”—“Yes, my papers are all in order and I await further advice.” “is your wife a New Zealander?” —“Yes. and the children were born in New Zealand.” The chairman said there was some arrangement with regard to tho conscrintion of reservists in America and British possessions. There was some order signed recently in Washington, but as yet ho was not aware of ite contents. The oaso was adjourned indefinitely.