"WOULD RUN AWAY."

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLVII, Issue 13050, 12 January 1917, Page 4

"WOULD RUN AWAY."

AN INTERESTING APPEAL. HEARD BY MILITARY SERVICE BOARD. . One- of the most interestinjr cases heard, before the Wellington Military •Service Board was that of the Canip:bell 'family,, of the Wairaxapa district. The report of the Wairarapa Age states that Arthur William Campbell, Walter - Campbell, Richard -Campbell. John. Campbell (farmers)" of Mount Bruce. Master ton, and Sydney Campbell (clerk),. Masterton, appealed under section 85 on the grounds, of public interest. undue hardship, and religious objections. Mr Jordan,., who appeared for appellants, asked that til© evidence of Mrs Campbell, who held a big influence over" the boys should. be taken in camera. This wa-s agreed to, and the board adjourned to hear the evidence. On resuming, John Campbell, who refused to take "the oath, 'said he was thirtyfour years of age and single. He was born "on the farm, and left school when fifteen years of age. There were three farms,- which lie and his brothers carried- on for their father. They did all the work the-mselves, except at sheaving time. They -milked thirtyfour cows- by liand ; on one place. He had not volunteered because he did notlike to kill a man. If a man attempt- i

Ed to shoot him lie would let liirn do so. He would not lie a party to taking a man's life. Ho objected to taking a hand in the saving of the wounded. By Captain Walker: What would you do it a man wanted to take £1 from you ? Witness: I would lot him taUe it.

In answer to a question appellant .said he belonged to the Roman Catholic Church.

Captain Walker: You have not been helping the war by growing oats and wheat. ? Witness: No. Captain Walker: You object to tight? Witness: Yes; but I would do anything in New Zealand. Captain Walker: There arc five brothers, all healthy and well?

Witness: Yes. Captain Walker: If you go away the farm will go to ruin ? Witness: Yes. Mr Perry: Who does the business on the farm?

Witness: My mother keeps the books, and we do the buying between us. Three of us; receive £3 per week and have also an interest in the farm.

Mr M'Laren: Suppose men came on to your land! to take it, would you fight them ? Witness : No, nothing in this world is worth fighting for. Mr Cooper: That will do. Richard' Campbell said he was thirtyone years of age, and lived with his parents. He passed the sixth standard. He had not enlisted because he objected to killing : it was: against his conscience. He never read books.

Captain Walker: What is the difference between killing a man and killing a sheep? Witness: I do not believe in killingGod's creatures.

.Captain Walker: Is not a sheep God's creature?

Witness: I don't like killing sheep; but it is necessary to kill them. Captain Walker: Would it not be necessary to kill Germans if they overran Great Britain and' New Zealand? Witness : I would do nothing to stop them. Captain" AYalker: Which of the brothers can best be spared ? Witness: I don't know. Walter Campbell, 29 years of age, stated that he worked on his lather's farm. He had not enlisted because he could not take life. It was against the teaching of Christianity. He killed sheep for their own use, but did not like doing so. No questions .were asked. , Arthur Campbell said he. was 24 years of age, and lived with his parents. He had not gone into camp because of conscientious objections. It was against the teachings of the Bible. He would not be prepared to go and assist the wounded, but would work in iSew Zealand.

Mr M'Laren : If you saw your mother and sisters brutally assaulted by Germans, the same as the Belgian women nave been, what would you do? Witness I would run away ! Mr M'Laren: You want a jolly good hiding. Sydney Campbell, 20 years ol ! age, said he worked as a clerk in Masterton. He belonged to the Territorials—the ambulance section. He would not take life under any conditions. He would be prepared to join the ambulance abroad. Mr M'Laren: Have you discussed' this matter with your brothers? "Witness: Yes. -

Mr Cooper: That will do. Mr Jordan suggested that the whole cases be held over until the appellants were examined by the Medical Board. Mr M'Laren: We had better dismiss the lot and let the Medical Board say which are fit.

The appeals of Richard, Walter and Sydney were dismissed, and those of Arthur and John reserved until Richard, Walter, and Sydney have been before the Medical Board.