“CALLING A HALT.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12325, 23 May 1918, Page 6

“CALLING A HALT.”

FARMERS AND CONSCRIPTION. More Exemptions Wanted. Complaints of Shirking. There was ,sn interesting discussion nt to-day’s conference of the Fanners’ Union ,on the following remit from Ashburton:— “That, whereas a large number of rose’’ vifets are not obtaining exemption whoso retention in the country is essential in the public interest, we suggest that provision should bo made whereby every case shall be investigated by the Local Committee ,of Advice of the district in which the reservist resides, such committee to report to the Advisory Committee stating whether, in their opinion, .the reservist con id servo his country bettor by remaining or by being sent to camp.” Air G. AV. Lead Icy, in moving the remit, said that the branch originally had proposed that every Second Division man should have his case investigated by eome independent tribunal as to whether the needs of the country could best bo served by liis retention in tlu\ country in an essential industry, or his dispatch to the front. Mr D. Jones asked whether the motion was n,ot a. want of confidence motion in the Military Service Boards, which were an independent tribunal. “No,” said Mr Load Icy; “I am thinking of some other tribunal.” “ Do you suggest wiping them out and substituting something else?” said Mr Jones. “ No,” said Mr Loadley. Ho replied tihat there were many instances where men would rather suffer injustice than appeal. He know of a man named Douglas, all of whose sons had gone except the youngest, who was called up. and when it was suggested that the father should appeal, he replied, “No, a Douglas never appeals.” (Applause.) “One of tho old clan,” said a ember. “AAe have depleted the country sufficiently,” Mr Lcadlcy continued. “ AVe have sent away enough men to justify pur contribution to the Empire’s needs.” There should either be no appeal and no exemptions, or else every case should bo taken up and dealt with on its merits- Ho had been assured that there were hundreds and even thousands of New Zealanders in England who would better have served tlio Empire in its hour of noed by growing foodstuffs. He had in his mind a local committee to investigate cases if once they were given a legal status by which their findings would weigh with the Military Service Boards. It was well known that exemptions were being given that should never be given, while exemptins were refused in reasonable CuSGS. Mr AV. Oakley, in seconding tli 0 motion, said that at present the word of a leserrist going before a board had to be accepted The committee' did not hi,n e in mind merely the exemption of farmers, although many men could best serve their country by staying behind. Mr J. Gibbs Stanton instanced a case in which a father had appealed successfully for his son, while the, father did the work, and the sou loafed about the farm. The local committee had made ieprcscutarioii after representation to Hie board that the son sbuMld be sent to the-front, but its recommendations had been ignored, and it had got sick of tho matter. Mr G. Sheaf, said that he had had to appeal for the jast of his four sons, and he bad got a sine die adjournment, but so far from the board taking his word for what ho said, special investigations bad been made to find out whether he was putting in the wheat and oats promised. there was a lot of shirking, but the Government was not leaving sufficient good workers to grow the wheat. The, Minister had stated that the board would listetn to representations; but the Boards wore now depleting the country by taking men who owned the land, and were in the second division. It wasi high time somebody advised the Boards against depleting tho country. Mr R. Evans instanced the case of a man who bad asked a solicitor to appear for him on appeal, but tho solicitor, to bis credit, had refused, stating that ho ought to go to the front; but be had gone to another, who had appeared, and exemption had been given till July. Ho instanced tho ease~of a man that it had taken a lot of trouble to get out of the district, but now lie bad to go, be was glad to say. Air Evans added that bis daughter,' on going to a Young AVonien’s Christian conference 1 , bad been snubbed because her father was such a. hard-hearted man in sending so many boys to the front, tho fact being that he was mistaken for tho chairman of tho No. 1 Alilitary Service Board. Afr C. Reid suggested that no man should be forced into appealing, and ovciy reservist should go before a Board, which would determine whether ho was essential or not. Air Loadley, in replying, said that an independent board of inquiry would be better than having a reservist with a solicitor at bis elbow giving tho Board ex parte evidence. The motion was carried.