FAILURE TO ENROL IN RESERVE

Southland Times, Issue 24757, 30 May 1942, Page 5

FAILURE TO ENROL IN RESERVE

TWO FARMERS CONVICTED

Charged with failing to make application for enrolment in the General Reserve, two farmers of Otahuti, Roland Dempster, aged 42, and Charles Dempster, aged 44 were convicted and discharged in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday by Mr R. C. Abernethy, S.M. Senior Sergeant W. T. Kelly prosecuted and Mr G. J. Reed appeared for the defendants. The defendants were the owners of a farm at Otahuti and were the beneficiaries of a fairly substantial estate, said Mr Reed. Charles Dempster was 44 years of age and it was evident that he did not understand the position. Constable Woods, of Winton, had sent the enrolment papers to him and he had not opened the letter. The Magistrate: Do you know what this enrolment is for?—For military business. Constable Woods said he interviewed the two brothers on February 18 and obtained a statement. Charles Dempster stated that he did not know that it was necessary for him to enrol. He got a newspaper every day and read it sometimes. He had not applied for enrolment, nor did he know that he had to enrol in the General Reserve. He had not enrolled in the Emergency Reserve Corps. The witness sent the forms to the defendants and later visited the farm and found that they had not been filled in. The defendants then completed the forms and signed them. They did not appreciate the seriousness of their not enrolling. Roland Dempster had stated that he was on the electoral roll and thought that was sufficient. He would say the defendants were abnormal. The general opinion in the district was to this effect and the way they managed their farm would also Indicate this.