THE EFFICIENCY BOARD OF THE PELORUS ROAD DISTRICT.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 29, Issue 42, 1 June 1917, Page 5

THE EFFICIENCY BOARD OF THE PELORUS ROAD DISTRICT.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —I was present (merely as a spectator) at the meeting of this body last Saturday afternoon, and a recital of the proceedings may interest your readers. The case under consideration was that of a single man of military age and medically fit, who was drawn in the ballot and had appealed. It was shown that the man had two brothers, single, and of military age, in the North Island, and neither had gone to the front. It was contended that because the man had some land and some sheep, and it was also surmised that he helped some of his neighbours to shear, he should be exempted—and exempt him they did. The chairman, flushed with the success of this achievement, and eager to display his newborn authority before his awe-struck onlookers (there was one other man there besides myself), brought before the Board the case of a single man who was drawn in the last ballot and who did not intend to appeal, but whose mother had asked the chairman to get him exempted. As far as I could gather, the man had no land of his

own, but had two brothers at the front and also two brothers iu Marlborough, each of whom had much land and many sheep, but one had a bad back and the other a weak heart. The Board promptly exempted the man, although the case was not officially before them. Not content with this, but after more laurels, they started to discuss a man who had been exempted by the Military Appeal Board. It appears he has had two brothers killed at the front, and is the only son his aged father has to depend on to work his place. All the same, I think things would have gone hard with him—he must have failed to buttonhole the august members beforehand. At this stage my fellow onlooker told them they were barking up the wrong tree, and so the farce ended..

I confess I was dumbfounded with these extraordinary proceedings, but when I got my breath and found speech I let myself go, and told them to go home and shoot themselves; that they were a disgrace to the country, and a lot more that would not look well in cold type.

Now, Mr Editor, I can speak seriously, having had three days to cool down. When wc hfear the cry from Franco for men and yet more men, we sec actions like this —a man exempted who ought to go. Heaven help our Empire and our country if its fate is left in the hands of the Efficiency Board of the Pelorus Rond District. I give it a new name —the Shirkers’ Board Sheltering Shirkers. I think, sir, that nr this stage of the conflict in Europe, this is no time to mince matters, but to speak out straight We am sadly in need of a strong man at the head of affairs —a Dick Scddon—whose per sonality and influence would permeate throughout New Zea'*-r,d An exhibition like last Saturday’s would then be impossible. Thanking you in anticipation. —I am, etc., CHARLES NEES. Deep Creek, May 29th, 1917.