SERVICE APPEALS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24632, 13 June 1941, Page 4

SERVICE APPEALS

ALLEGED “ PALTRY EXCUSES " CHANGE OF SYSTEM ADVOCATED VIEWS OF RETURNED SOLDIERS (Special) WAIMATE, June 12. “Consider the sufferings of our boy* overseas, and the paltry excuses tendered to the, appeal boards—it make's one’s blood; Wr Jackson at the annual-meeting of the Waiinate Returned Soldiers’ Association. “Is the association satisfied with the way this appeal business is being carried out? ” he asked. “l am satisfied that insufficient information concerning the appeals with which they deal comes before the boards.” 1 • Mr Jackson quoted an .instance of a farmer’s son whose exemption from service was obtained by an alleged false statement. Dealing with another aspect, he. referred to two sons of a farmer’s family of four who had enlisted, but were prevented from serving by the action of the Man-power Committee. In . another instance two sons of another farmer who were called in a ballot, and had no desire to avoid service, received papers suggesting-that they should appeal on the grounds of their necessity for primary production. Fanners and Production. Mr D. Borrie said he ; knew of a farmer, one of whose three , sons was called in a ballot, and was willing to serve. “He was written ito. by the Man-power Committee to ask why he had not appealed,” 'Jh'e 'said.' “ I don’t think it is their business.” “ I know of a farmer, whose ploughman was called up, and a similar form was sent to him,” said Mr J. O’Hara. “I think a lot of this production business is just eye-wash and camouflage to cover lack of courage,” Mr Jackson said. “The meat works are filled to the doors, and the butter position is about as bad, though I- admit we will want wool. I am a farmer, and I know. What use is all this production if. Hitler gets here? It«is< not right to keep back young and fit' tangle men when they are needed overseas.” The authorities would soon be calling on married men with, families. He added that his employee had been in Greece and Crete, while one of his own sons was in the air force and the other just of .age to enter camp, “And I’m quite willing,” he said. Fresh Evidence Needed

When it was mentioned that case* adjourned jjy the appeal boards were to be reviewed, Mr Jackson said he thought that such action would be of little use unless fresh evidence was presented. He contended that appeal boards were unnecessary; peoplelh the district would soon- petition-.-the- Government in a case of genuine hardship. The following resolution,' moved by Mr Jackson as a remit for. Dominion headquarters of the association, was carried, unanimously:—“That- appeal boards and man-power committees be abolished; failing that, an organisation be set up to ensure that all information is placed befoi’e them.”

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS , •- : .. ,?i, ' STRONG COMMENT IN HOUSE (P.A.) . WELLINGTON. June 12;' Vigorous terms were employed by Mr F. W. Doidge td-night, , J when he made reference in the course of the Imprest Supply debate in the House of Representatives to the subject of conscientious objectors. He expressed grave doubts as to the sincerity of many' of the appellants on these .grounds. . . Mr Doidge said he had been told that out of hundreds of cases of appeals on the ground of conscientious objection which came before the Armed Forces Appeal,- Boards; anything -/between 60 and,7o per cent, were young, able-bodied meh'employed' in -the civil service in Wellington ..or. as school teachers; Many of, the excuses put up were simply atrocious. V -i It was clear, Mr Doidge said, that many of the appellants were liars or humbugs, and many of them could be regarded as potential Fifth Columnists. Some of them -were ih- kCy positions ,in the Government. - r , ,r.