MILITARY SERVICE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11927, 9 February 1917, Page 6

MILITARY SERVICE.

j R. J, S. SE'D'DON'S CASE, j [Per Fri« Association.] J WELLINGTON, February 0. j Tho Military .Service Jso;nd Today \ hoard the appeal of Richard John S. ' Soddon, importer, and also ex-officer j of Iho Nov Zealand Permanent Forces, j Air Skorrett, appearing m support, I said that Seddon had no desire for total I exemption, but asked for an extension j of time until the end of April to wind j up hi.;-, business Counsel outlined the history of appellant's relationship with j the Defence Department. Scddon had j served with distinction in South Africa and subsequently with the New Zealand Permanent Forces with the ranked senior capu'un. lie spent two years undergoing military training in England, qualifying for the rank of major. On returning to New Zealand he was ! appointed group area officer at, Paeroa. j Considering thai an injustice had been done him he resigned in 1013. When the war broke out he offered his services to the Defence Department if a suitable position could be found for him. His letter was acknowledged and he was thanked for tho offer, lie heard nothing more, and practically from August. 191-J, to April, 1015, he allowed his business to mark time. In November, 1915, ho saw Mr Mass-ey and inbis services were required. He was informed that all ex-officers were liable and was advised to communicate, with the officer commanding the district. He did so on January 20. In the following month he was appointed captain on probation in the Six- I teenth Reinforcements. He complained that the notice was too short and said the Seventeenth would suit him. He also applied for seniority. He received no answer and no appointment in tho Seventeenth:. He was called up in the ballot in December. Tho board granted leave- till April 1.