MILITARY APPEAL BOARDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16981, 18 April 1917, Page 6

MILITARY APPEAL BOARDS

SITTING IN DUNEDIN.

SHORTAGE OF FARM LAJJOUB,

WOMEN ON MILK ROUNDa

rho First Otago Military Service Board eat In Duuedin yesterday afternoon; picil. Y. Widdowson, fci.M. (chairman), j& Kellett, and A. D. Bell. Captaiu i'Vee was the military representative, and Major Moller was associated with him. Peter Wm. Jones (hairdresser, Uuncdin), for whom Mr Lang appeared, said he could not dispose of his business or got anyone to help him. Ho now applied lor financial assistance.—Tho case was adjourned for a month, and referred in the meantime to tho Eihcicncy Board for a report. Bishop Novill appealed on behalf of tho Rev. E. T. Neale, Anglican mjnister at Waikouaiti.—ln answer to tho cha.rraan, Bishop Ncvill said that Mr Neale had been ordained for four or five years.—After reading coji.am documents before tile board, tho Cnairman said: The minister's certificate is attached to tho papers. There is ons only point I may point out; it refers to the religious objection. I don't know that wo can entertain it in an appeal from one who is practically his employer. It should bo a personal appeal on that ground.— Witness: My ground would be the practical puo. —After cons.duration the chairman said: Tlio application will be adjourned s.ne die on the understanding that it will only hold good till the end of tho First Division, wnen we shall review all single men. Frederick Alb.n Victor Hoatten (inachmury export, JUunccim) appealed on the giouuu that lie was essuntial to Has mother's weliare. —A number ol papvjrs were laid belore the board.—The Ctodirniun said, the question was wnuther it was imperative that me appellant anouid be allowed to remam lor his mother's weltare. —Capta.n Free said there was another son at Asuburton and a sister in Wellington.—The Chairman said Mr Cumming was willing to do all he could for the motuer, and if the young man went Mr Oummaig would do what he could for her in tho appellant's absence.—To Captain I'roe, witntss said his mother owned a farm near _ Ashburton, which his brother farmed. His mother could not go and live there.—The appeal was dismissed, appellant not to bo called up until June 27. James H. Fotheringham (grain merchant, Duncdin) was called on again. He said he had. advertised for a manager for his business, but no one suitable had replied,. He would like until the end of May to make arrangements.—Appellant not to l.e called, up till May 30. John Maxwell, jun. (farmer, Palmerston) was represented by Mr Payne.—ln reply to the board, appellant said his thrashing was finished, and he was now ploughing for tho incoming year. His second brother went with' the 24th Reinforcements.—Appellant's father said "ho could not carry on without his son. He would have to tfive up cropping and' sell his cows. If his son stayed he would put in 16 or 20 acres of wheat.— The case was referred to the Efficiency Board.

■The case of Wm. Ross had been adjourned for a month to allow, an appeal to be made to the Patriotic Association.—Mr Brush said he had wr.ttcn to the association, which had sent a visitor to. investigate the position, and the docis.on of the association was it would be a hardship to the appellant's sister, who was a cripple, if he went away.—The case was referred to Mr Cumming for a report. Wm. Edwin Mills (telegraphist, Dunedin) appealed on domestic grounds. He was represented by Mr Scurr.—Tho Chairman said the board had now received Mr Cumming's report. The chairman said it was reported to the board that tho facts the man had given to the board were true. The case was a serious one, and the appellant must be looked on as the father of the home. In the circumstances, the case would be adjourned sine dTo—that was to say, the appellant would stand down, probably till the end of the First Division. Edward W. R. B. Smithson (carpenter, Dunedin) appealed on domestic grounds.— Mr Wilkinson said tho case had been adjourned for Mr Cumming's report.—The report was considered by the board.—The Chairman said Mr Cumming had gone exhaustively into the matter. It appeared that it was a • case in which there was troubles in the home, with regard to the condition of the old people, and that time should be given. The difficulties, however, were not insurmountable," and arrangements could be made. The appellant would not be called up until July 31. David Ales. Prentice (commercial traveller, Dunodin) said that since he was last before the board he had not been examined.—Adjourned for a month. The case of Wm. Cathcart Latta (confectioner, Dunedin) had been adjourned for a report from Mr Cumming. This report was laid before the board, and Mr Cumming gave some confidential information no the board. —The Chairman said the appellant and his father had a comfortable homo. He earned £2 and his father £2 10s. Ho was apprehensive as to his father's health if he went away. Mr Cumming thought the appellant might be employed in home service, but the board could make no recommendation in that direction.—Tho appeal was dismissed, appellant not to be called u- before May 12. Edwin W. D. M'Nulty (labourer, Dunedin) appealed on domestic grounds.—Mr Cumming's report was laid before the board, and the chairman remarked that it was a rather sad case. —The appeal was dismissed, and appellant was allowed until the end of July. James M'Beath (farmer and head teamster, Waikouaiti) said he was employed on a farm, carrying on important work. His employer (Mr Douglas) also appealed for him. —Archibald W'm. Douglas (farmer, Tumai) said he had also a farm near Waikouaiti. Mr M'Beath was head of the agricultural work. He was a splendid teamster. This year witness had 600 acres under the plough, including 60 acres under wheat. The Minister of Agriculture had communicated with him by circular, asking him to put in 100 acrrs this year. Witness was short of mpn. He had boon potatodigging lately with one man picking up inBitead of ten. He also grew oats and turnips. The appellant was a competent man, and such men wero hard to get. Three of Mr M'Beath's brothers had gone to the war, and one of them had been killed.—Oaptain Free recommended witness to get a married ploughman.—The Chairman ?aid all tho single men would be ■wnntrd in a few months at the outside.—The Chairman said this man was a head teamster, and the question was what policy the board should adopt in regard to head teamsters. That matter would be referred to the Efficiency Board for a report.

The Cromwoll Development Company appealed on behalf of Thos. B. Phillips (oTchardist). There was also a personal appeal.—Mr Stephens said the appellant had enlisted and boon rejected. He was now classed A, but there was no chance at all of his going forward. Was it possible to have a special medical examination? The man had been operated on four times.— Mr Bell: It is a pity to send him away if he is coming back again.—Tho company asked for time tintil the end of July to allow appellant to undertake certain pruning. He was an expert pruner, and came from California.—Tho case was adjourned for a month for further medical examination.

Adam George Blackwood appealed on be'half of Donald A. Cameron (dairy farmer, Kaikorai Valley), and asked for an extension of time. Ho himself took tho milk round, and knew all the customers' houses. Ho could get no one to take his place.— The Chairman: Why cannot women bo employed on milk rounds?—Mr Sidey, who appeared for the appellant, said there were not many women who would care to take milk round. —Appellant said ho started work at 3 o'clock in the morning.—The board said the reservist would not be called up until the end of May. In the caso of Henry Tasman Mahs (transport worker and trimmer, Ravensbourne), the appellant said he understood tho Seamen's Union was also appealing.—Mr Belcher, in . reply to the board, said the man sometimes took work on the wharf and sometimes at sea. The Chairman said there was a proper person to appeal on behalf of seamen, and he had not in this case.—Appollant's statement was laid before the board. He had a brother in France and another going into camp. He was willing to serve at sea. Captain Free said the appellant enlisted, but as soon as he found ho was fit he wont to sea. When he was drawn in tho ballot he tried to get away on tho Tpfua.—Appellant said the defence authorities gave him the opportunity ■ of joining a transport.— Tho appeal was dismissed. Francis Robert Perry (seaman, Dunedin) was appealed for by Mr Belcher, secretary of the •Seamen s Union.—Tho reservist, giving cvid°nce, said he was a bona fide sraman, and had been at sea for 13 years. 'He had missnd his passage on a transport] as ho thought ho had to appear before the board. —The appeal was adjourned indef ijtely, conditional en the reservist remaining in his present occupation and being essential in th&t occupation. Mr W. Bolcher (secretary of the Seamen's Union) appeals; on 'tchalf of John IW/va (firema 1 £v-w»«l~. CJood, {seaznanj.

Alfred Francis (fireman), Arthur Rudland (fireman), John Howie jun. (St. Kilda), Patrick Henley (trimmer), and Erneefc Tilley (fireman).—Mr Belcher said, aa far as he knew, these men were at present following their usual vocations, though it was difficult to ascertain where they were. He believed they were now at sea.—Exemption was granted on the usual conditions. Thomas M'Dcrmot (Duncdin) appeded for domestic reasons, and laid a statement before the board.—Adjourned for Mr Cumming's report.

Peter Meldrum (cab driver, Mosgiel) asked for threo months to give him timo to sell his cab. He had four brothers away and another at home. Ho could not sell his business.—Allowed until May 14. George Dunbar Read (dairy farmer, Omimi) asked for two or three weeks to make arrangements, and was allowed until May 14. William WadcMl (farmer, Sutton) asked for t'mo. Ho would bo ready to go m May. —Captain Free said a draft would be leaving on May 2, and another on the 10th.— Allowed until May 7. John Telfcr (farmer, Sandymount) said he was the only son of military age at home. _ His father was not fit for work.— A written statement was handed to the board, and appellant .said he would be ready to co at the end of May.—Allowed .until Mnv 28. iTie case of Edwin J. Christenscn (Dnncclin), who was classed 82, was adjourned unHl a sitting in. June. Richard Pearson Wallace ("ngineer, Duncdin South) and Oswald 0. Phillips, being classed C2, their appeals were withdrawn. SECOND Mn-TTAUY SERVICE BOARD. • . SITTING AT MILTON. A sitting of the Otago iNo. 2 Military Service lioard was hew at lVlilton yesterday; present —Messrs V. G. i>ay, S.iVl., A. S. Ortwll, and li. Breen. Uaptain JBi. D. Mosiey was tno niilitary representative. FARMER'S APPEAL DuSiVUtStoED. liugh Rueseit (tarimir, Glenledi) ] appuaicd on yrounus ot uuduo hardship iiiiu i putmc interest. —Air Rutiieiiord, who appeared for tne appellant stated that no anct h»s lather had a lai'in or 100 acres, wnicii tncy worked as paimers. Hβ was an only son, and had no sisters. The man was willing to plaut 60 acres of wheat this year. 'Mr bay: It is no use putting torward wh.it ho is willing to do. 'ihat is merely a bait. Hugh Russell, father of the appellant, giivu evidence that he had sold dur..ng 19ib h3O bags of wheat and oats —100 bags ol wheat und the balance of oats. To Captain Mosloy: He had bought a traction engine and haulage plant a few months ago in order to get his grain and wool away, but he was able to run a. motor car on the roads. The wheat he had sold last year was good milling wheat. Mis son was learning to drive the engine, and was studying tor his certificate Mr Day: Are you in a position to employ labour? Witness: Yes, if I can get it. Mr Rutherford: We had the Minister of Agriculture here the other day, and ho admitted that it was practically' impossible to obtain labour. Captain Mosiey said he had received frequent, applications trom tanners and retired larmors who were willing to take up work tnat wc/uid release others. One liitui, who had advertised tor over a week in a Duiieuai newspaper, did not receive a single reply. iilx Rutherford: In this district as much as ±,4- and ijb a week has been ottered tor labour without result. Last year one tarmer had no applications for casual labour, whereas in former years he had received toum every week. Mr Day (to witness): You have known since last August ttia-t your son would probably have to go, and what have you done; to replace him.? —I have done nothing as yet. jVlr Day: And you are not the only one who has left it to the last minute. In early every farmer tells us the same tale, 'ihey trust far too much to luck. Witness: Another point is that ho (the appellant) is our only chiid. Mr Day: Well, 1 might inform you that two members of tins board are in the same pos.tion. They each have a son at the front, and both are wouuded. • Mr Orbell: If you look around among your neighbours you must see the sacrifices they are making. You should be prepared to do something. Mr Day: So far ae we can see you have made no' attempt to help yourself except to increase your liabilities. Witness: Lf my son has to go all I can do is to knock off farming until he comes back. Captain Mosiey: But you are an ablebodied man, and did / ploughing last year. It seems to be a case of obstinacy. Mr Rutherford asked if the matter could not be referred to the Efficiency Board. Mr Day: Why should a man in a position like this seek the help of a board that was set up to assist those who are struggling against difficulties, and cannot help themselves. It is not its function to help the man who can afford to pay for labour. The decision of the board was that the appellant would have to go, but ho was not to be called up before June 14. In tho meantime the father could make application to the Efficiency Board. OTHER APPEALS. William 1-arKtr ilarin labourer, Miltlon), for wiibm Mr G. ri. 'Ihoinson appcareti, pK.-ad«d undue .hardship on trie grounus tnat tie nad an aged motuer and brotnor to snipport. —Mr j-iionisou stated thut, so lar as cue mother was concerned, arrangements had been; made for her citre, aud tnat, ground of appeal ■ was abandoned. 'lhe brother, however, suffered from a munner ot physical disabilities, and was a more serious proposition. It his brotaer couid be arranged lor the appellant would be willing to go. —Iho appeal was adjourned until the next sittmg ol the boaru, in order to see what couid.be dono wmi the brother. Henry Alexander ¥orston (tarmer, Waihola) appealed on grounds of undue hardship and public interest. Ho and his. father owned two lorms, totalling , 718 acres, of which 100 acres of freehold belonged to him. Hβ was the only son, and his one sister was an invalid. He had piouguod 20 acres already, and intended to plough a further 60 acres this year.—The appeal was adjourned for three months. The appeals of Donald M'Donald (engineer, Bruco Woollen Company,- Milton), John Black Hagen (tanner, lVinourn), jas. Hamilton (mill owner, Milton), and ISamuel Henry Jonea (factory hand, Milton) were formally dismissed, the appellants having been classed as C 2. The appeal of __ Porey John Groy (farm labourer,' Clarendon) was allowed on the ground that he was under age.—Captain Mosiey stated that the young man was willing to go as soon as he was of age.i SITTING AT BALCLUTHA. TWENTY-EIGHT APPEALS HEARD. The board sat at Balclutha in the afternoon, tho samo members being present. Captain Mosiey had associated with him Lieutenant D. Bell from tho local group office. Twenty-eight appeals were dealt FARMER'S APPEAL ADJOURNED. Robert Bojd Benny (fanner, Wharutoa) entered an appeal on his own behaii on tho ground oi undue hardship, and there wa3 also an appoa.l by his tather (Henry Benny, of Chnstchurou). Mr D. Stewart, on behalf of the appellants, said that the father could not live in the south on aocount of health reasons, and ho had therefore bought a lann tor his four sons, who were working it themselves, and who could not ali'ord to pay labour. Whon war brake out two of the brothers enlisted, and the appellant and his brother William were left to work the farm lor these two and for themselves. The question really was where the young man's duty lay, and it seemed to be a question for tho Efficiency Board. The farm carried SOO sheep, and this year it was proposed to put in 160 acres of crop and 220 acres of turnips and rape. In reply to Captain Mosloy, the appellant said that, if he went away, his brother would have to employ outside labour. In addition to himself and his brother William, thero were a younger brother and two sisters on the farm. William Robert Benny, who a<rted as manager of thp. farm, gave evidenco as to tho financial position of the property, and said that his father's ultimata object was to hand the place over to his sons. To Captain Mosiey: He would have to employ labour if Robert went away, but so far ho had not attempted to arrange for any. The appeal was adjourned for two months in order to give time for plough : ng, and also so that labour could be obtained. A HAIRDRESSER'S APPEAL. "William Oswald Ludlow (hairdresser and tobacconist, Balclutha) asked for three months' time in order to , dispose of his business and stock. He was 22 years of age. To Captain Mosiey: He had never attend'd a Territorial camp. He was recently served with a summons for not attending drills at night Appellant stated that he had been granted exemption from Territorial service by a magistrate, but Lieutenant explained

that this exemption had been cancelled whci it was found that Ludlow was able to attend race moet.ngs, etc The appeal was dismissed, the appellant not to bo called up before May 17.

MINERS EXEMPTED. Appeals 011 behait of HoDtrt Howie, Alexander James Ai'Auley, James M'Kinney, and William Buim, miners anu truckers in the Kuitangata mine, were entered by WilLam Carson (rn.no manager, for tue jNcjv. Zealand (Joai and Oil Company). —The board adjourned each appeal s.ne die, conditional on the appellants remaining in their present employment and puttinc in full time. William Neil and Rob'ert Allan (miners, laratu) appealed on their own behalf.— Both appeals were adjourned sine die under similar conditions to the Kaitangata men. Ix.ILIMM.IcUj .Ai^iiiiJLij. Joim biiufvi; Catiinsj, ior lujuuj ajx OWvviirii usiicu loi Diuio in order to iiujusc lauuij , iiuncuni m Viuw ot tuu ivrCcuc uuuiu oi lui latiier. xuu iua,u ruiU ucuii as i> J., tuuc a w.iiur opurauuu was ucce.-stiu.iy.—lue appeal wa-, aisuiisSiXJ, Uie appciiaui, to lib iiiauLod i<_avo oy tiio mmtaiy auinorities uiim ivxay 61.

Ucorgc oiiokson Dent (farmer. Piierua) appeuiud on grounds ol public interest and uniiuu harusu.p. lie had two properties oi foJ acres in all, 7IX) acres ol wnitii were iiteuold. His only brother was now at the trout. Ihe property carried between -.00 and 500 sheep.—Adjourned sine die. conditional on the appellant remaining en the iarm.

Martin Kean (mill-owner,' Waiwera South), whose appeal when he was called up under section 35 had been heard by the No. 1 Board, which granted h.m leave until .June 30. appealed trom the bailor.— li»s case was adjourned until July in order not to interfere the previous decision* Robert Watt Brown (horse-shoer and coach painter and repairer) asked of exeinp.tion on the usual • grounds. He had a brother in the 20th Keimorcoments, ana had h.inseif been turned down three tune/;. — l he_ appeal was adjourned for two months. Charius Wm, Benson (farmer, Warepa) asked for time to cot rid of his surplus stock, and also to do" some ploughing for his father (aged 65 years).—Not to be called up before June 1.

The following appeals were formally dismissed, tho appellants having been classed C 2: —Boyd James Bennie, John Archibald, Andrew Fox Petrie, Percival George Anthony, and William Archibald (miners), Isaac Thomas Waiting (farmer, Wangaloa). David Alexander Lawrence (farmer, Wangaloa), James King Weir (farmer. Stirlinc , ). Andrew Townley (farmer, Stirling), Thomas Caley .(farm manager, Purekireki), Jas. Scott (dairy farmer, Port Molyneux), Adam Ross (farmer. Toiro). and Wm. Murdoch (farmer. PiiCTua). __ Malcolm Allan Macdon.ild (cheese factory manager, Ratanui), who was also classed C 2, withdrew his appeal. The appeal of Homy Humphrey Ron'ston (rleo.lc hand on the rivf>r stramor Clyde, Balcluthn) was adjourned to allow of "the man being med'cally examined. . v