MILITARY SERVICE APPEAL BOARD

Te Aroha News, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5454, 23 February 1917, Page 2

MILITARY SERVICE APPEAL BOARD

NO. 2 HAURAKI GROUP WEDNESDAY’S SITTING Thh above Board continued its Te Aroba sitting on Wednesday, the first case dealt with beiug that of Robert Coulter, laud and farmers’ agent, asked for exemption for three month**, aud put iu a letter explaining his position. The Boaitl agreed that ho ho had fair grounds for asking for time. Aftor hearing appellant the Board asked how much time he wanted Ho had used honest oudoavors to do his duty. Appellant asked for time until May Ist, and offered to go sooner if lie could iiv up his affairs. The application was granted accordingly. Malcolm Victor Boles, |Moriinsyille, askod for exemption until May 29th.

Captain Rogers said there were seven brothers —three singlo (two on active service). Two of the married, had also enlisted. One of fcuc single brothers had won the D.C.M. The chairman ; A gallant family ! Appellant is entitled to almost any time he asks for. May 29th was mutually agreed upon, aud the Court mado tho order accordingly. William Oleary, farmer, Matamata, asked For time. Ho had a brother at the front aud believed another was also there. Was oxpoctiug tho first brother home soon, invalided, aud if ho could carry on his farm, appellaut would go “ like a shot.” Could not expect his neighbours to oversee his farm ; the most likely one was himself going iuto camp. He was assisting liia widowed mother aud two sisters.

Exemption was granted until May 29ili. aud the Board will review tho ease again at next mouth’s sitting, as to whether still further time is desirable.

Leonard Borker, chemist, Te Arolia, stated he lie bad been iu business lee illy over four years. He lost tho sight of an eye eighteen months ago. Until recently the regulations prohibited him from enlisting owing to that defect, but he was now classed as lit. He had three brothers, all married. Ap pollant asked for lluoe mouths' exemption to ouablo him to fix up his business affairs. Appellant was then examined in camera as to his financial affairs.

On resuming exemption until May Lst was granted on tho usual conditions.

Percy Selby, farmer, Ngarua, said four biothers shared in a farm of 213 acros ; it was divided iu July 1910, appellant securing 100 acres. Two brothers had been called up iu the ballot. The other had previously inlisted. but was rejected. Did not think the (wo brothers had appealed. He ploadod undue hardship. He had a herd of 50 cows aud could not get labor. Had tried to sell the farm aud to got suitable share-milkers, but was unsuccessful. Captain Rogers said ho understood two of appellant's brothers wore permanently unlit, but they bad, be thought, not been examined by the Medical Board.

Appellant said (hat though classed lit lie did not think he could staud the necessary tuiining, and if ho were forced to sacrifice his farm aud then get discharged from camp it would be a great sacrifice. Tho Court said appellaut was a producer—aud a good producer too —aud they desired to assist him if possible. He was doing good work for the country. Captain Rogers suggested adjourning the ease until next mouth, appellant’s brother to go before the Medical Board meantime.

This course was adopted. James Barrett, farm baud, Paeroa asked for time till April.—Granted aud ho goes into camp on April 3rd Herbert James Furlong, gold miner, Wailii, advanced undue hardship as his reason for seeking tinaucial assistance. lie was quite ready to go into camp this mouth, lie gave details of his cost of living aud wages

received. The Beard explained that they

were compelled to recommend to the

Minister any assistance considered, advisable. The troublo was that j the man wauted to go iu with his brother aud mates on the 27th but if ho went the Board would uot bo able to deal with it again supposing the Minister declined to grant assistance or desired further investigation. Asked by Mr Rosser whether he would prefer to go into camp at once with his mates aud chance tho assistance being grauted orobtaiu exemption until tho application was decided, appellaut said lie would prefer to wait, as it affected his wife’s maintenance. The Board agreed aud decided that he should go iulo camp tho lirst Tuesday after the deeisiou is communicated to him. Heury F. Bowman, farm or, Mauawaru, asked for timo. Ho had one brother ou active service. Could uot sell his dairy farm, and the only offers to lease or manage tho farm were m ide by Second Division man, who would probably bo called up for service tlicmselvo3 within a few months. The Board decided to give till May 29th, aud made an order accordingly B. R. Brattle, share farmer, Hau

raki Plains, was represented by Mr J. C. Carroll, who stated appellant was an only son. Tho fathor enlisted last November, aud tho sou also, but the latter was rejected as under age. He bad siuco coins ot ago and was drawn iu tho ballot. He gave details of the fami'y’s financial position, aud said the a- tlmritics had satisfied themselves as to the position. Appellant's fathor goes into camp this mouth. The lather bad previous military experience. Exemption was gran tod siuo die.

Malaoahi Dcoble’s appeal was withdrawn as he had beou accepted for home service, going into camp for that purpose on March 14th. Robert Odium, whoso caso was heard on Tuesday, was again called when tho Court said it wished to take some member or members of the family, but thought appellant was the best one to stay at home. The Court proposed to adjourn tho hoariug until the next sitting of tho Court at To Aroha, when it was hoped other brothers would bo piescut to be dealt with.

Odium thanked the Court, and au order was made accordingly. Thomas Norman Crauch, farmer, Waiorougomai, said ho was tho only son at homo to look after his father’s interests, aud asked for exemption. Ho had two older brothers —ono eligible for tho lirst division. Tho latter was farming about 3 miles from tho home farm. He desired to obtaiu extensiou until tho oud of tho milking season. Captain Rogers said tho young man had a good territorial record. Exemption was granted until May 29th.

James Crammond's case wa3 adjourned for a month. Appellant had been required to give proof that he was over ago. He had sent to Adelaide for a certificate of birth, which had not yet arrived. He had been before the Board last mouth, aud his case was deferred then for a mouth.

The Board decided to dispose of the case as soon as the certificate came to hand,

Frank and Ralph Ellon, farmers, Manawaru, wore called, but Mr P. Gilchrist stated Ralph was going into camp in two mouths’ time.

Mr Gilchrist stated that another \ brother had recoutly won tho Mili | tary Cross at tho battlo of tho Somme. Frank Ellen said his brother asked for exemption until April 3rd. It was agreed accordingly, aud Frank’s caso was adjourned sine dio. John Johnstone did not appear, aud Captain Rogers asked that his appeal be dismissed. Information bad been received that he had departed for the South. He had not attended the Medical Board, and was practically a deserter. He put in a letter saying “ Look up my registration papers. I intend doing what 1 sta'ed there.” As the registration papers were secret, this information could not be obtained. It was decided to allow appellant opportunity to appear next day before dccidiug. Frederick C. H. Moyle’s appeal referred to aud adjourned on Tuesday, was again called, aud there being no appearance of the appellaut, tho appeal was dismissed.

THURSDAY'S SITTING Tho Wuihi Grand Junction Gold Mining Co., appealed for the exemption of Joliu Edmund Rcdpath, assistant accountant. Mr Jackson appeared for the company aud said Rcdpath was not personally appealing. Mr Jackson said the company’s general manager was absent iu England on sick leave, the chief accountant acting iu bis stead. Mr Rcdpath had been drawn in the December ballot and secured exemption until March 31st. Meautime the general mauager bad died, and the positiou was being filled without adding to tho staff. Many employees bad enlisted or been drawn iu the ballot, making the managerial position more acute. Ho now asked for exemption until oud of May. Public interest was affected, as the town of Wailii, with a population of about 5000, was largely dependent upon the eoutiuuatiou of operations by appellants and another mining company. The company had consistently assisted recruiting in general and this was the first occasion that an appeal had been mado by tho company for an employee. Mr McArthur, acting general manager, corroboiatid the foregoing statements. He considered only one other employee in the First Division would be appealed for. John Rcdpath, for whom theappoal was made, answered several questions as to his duties, confirming tho previous evidence

Major Browne bore out the statomout that the eompauy had assisted recruiting, particularly in the formation of tho Tunuollers’ Corps. The Beard granted exemption until May 29th, on the usual conditions which were agreed to. Herbert James Olsen, police constable, Waibi, was called.

Inspector W. J. Phair, iu charge of tho police district which includes Wailii, appealed on behalf of the

Police Department, and put iu a telegram from Wellington headquarters sayiug appeals for constables were being heard iu Wellington by arrangement. Ho could uot understand why this ease was not dealt with there. No recruits to the Force had been

taken ou for some time past, aud there was now a vacancy at Waihi which could not be filled as there was no recruit available. Maybe a temporary constable would be appointed from among those who had applied.

To Mr Rosser : Was aware some policemen had resigned tho Force so as to enlist It would bo a serious matter just at present to allow constables to resign. The Board said it did not feel disposed to deal with the caso in the absonco of any knowledge of a uui form policy by other boards. Tho ease would bo deferred for further consideration aud may possibly be taken at the uoxt sitting at Hamilton. Robert Wilson Noble, dairy fanner, Morriusville, was called, but telegraphed to tho effect that ho could uot atteud owing to tho floods. Appollaut’s fathor attended and asked for exemption until tho oud of tho milking season Another son was ou active service. Two youuger sons, both under military age, were assisting on the farm. The application was grauted up to May 29. Alfred Lowis McMillan, dairy farmer, Tauhoi, asked for exemption until May 29th. Ho had ouo brother ou active service.—Granted.

Francis Bancroft, dairy farmer, > Manawaru, asked for exemption until , tho end of tho milking season. Granted until May 29 j John S. Carter, carpenter, Nether--1 ton, was classed as “ C 2,” and the eiso was dismissed. A. J. Notmau, Coromandel, was granted till April 3rd. Charles W. Wood, farmer, Whitiauga, asked for lime to arrange his affairs. Ho had served iu the Boer War, and had a brother ou active service at present. Exemption was grauted until May 29 th. Tho Board advised appellant to ooufor with Mr J. H, Guusou, the Auckland member of the Efficiency Board, ou certain matters. John Heury Sloaue, grazier, Turua aud Whangarci, asked for time, suggesting tkreo months. After investigating appellant's affairs, tho Board said it could not give him three months, pointing out that though thore was no suggestion that appellaut was a shirker—far from it—the Board could not grant oxteuded exemptions wholesale. Appellaut had taken a war-tisk when he took up his farm in war time and paid a big price. Appellant said his brother had enlisted, and also three nephews. After some further questioning the Board decided to gcant exemption to May Ist, aud advised appellant to got into touch with tho Efficiency Board whereby ho may get further time. The Military Board could, however, promise nothing in that couucetion. “ That's what the Efficiency Board is thoro for—to assist farmers, among others,” concluded the chairman.

Guy Ring, farmer, Hinuera, asked for timo. lie was working his father’s farm of 1800 acres without assistiuce. Three really capable employees were now ou active service. Had advertised unsuccessfully for mou. Appellant was grauted exemption till May Ist. Peter Thomson, dairy farmer, Mangaiti, asked for exemption, and put in

a letter detailing his circumstances,. He was opposed to taking life, but did not belong to any recognised Church having tenets as prescribed by the Act. The Board said it could not consider that aspect, but may make a recommendation to the authorities. The Board’s actions were confined to certain limits.

Aftor investigating appellant’s positiou as a dairy farmer, the Board decided to adjourn tho caso for further consideration next mouth ; meantime the Efficiency Board will bo asked as to the position. Appellaut is advised to continue his preparations for going iuto camp after the end of tho milking season. William Henry Wallace, dairy farmer, Tatuanui, asked for time, as his farm was unproductive at pre-

sent. Ho was now putting down about 100 acres of grass. One neighbour had offered to look after the farm, but he had two children aud was liable to bo called in the Second Division. The Board said that man would have a good chance of obtaining exemption if ho wero looking after the two farms. Appellant was opposed to bearing arms, and was a member of the Brethren, remarking that conscience ; was largely a question oE kuow- > ledge.

He did not kuow whether the denomination opposed military service ; the matter was left to the iudividual conscience, lie was willing to do uon-combataut service.

Tho Board remarked that appellant was entirely genuine iu his attitude, and put several leading questions to appellant. Captain Rogers—Can you tell us what action we are to take when the principles of Christianity are at stake Y Appellaut said Scripture eujoinod them to resist evil. Conti’uuiug be said if a force of Germans lauled on these shores he could not say what be would do. After some further discussion, the chairman said religious discussions seldom led to anything definite. If everyone adopted the attitude of appellaut whero would the world be ? It would be at tho mercy of auy unscrupulous enemy. The Board decided it could uot sustain, the appeal on those grounds, but offered to make representations to authorities. Asked if he was now prepared to take tho oath appellaut said ha could uot do so, as it was against the dictates of bis conscience.

It was decided to grant exemption to May 1, aud the hope was expressed that he would be found a non-com-batant positiou by the camp authorities.

Captain Rogers said tho appellant would not be required to attest at present. William Charles Worth, battery hand, Waihi, withdrew his appeal, having arranged to go to camp on March 6tb, but asked for financial assistance iu payment of life iusnrauco policy. His brother was on active service. The Board decided to make a recommendation accordingly. John Hickey farmer, Hinueray asked for time. He was called under Section 35. but the authorities admitted a mistake had been mado, aa ; appellant had a brother on active’ service.

It was decided to adjourn the case’ until the next sitting of the Board at Te Aroba, the appellaut beiug advised to communicate meautimo witlii tho Efficiency Board, with a view to* securing assistance.