PUZZLING NATIONALITY.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15133, 30 January 1917, Page 4

PUZZLING NATIONALITY.

YOUTH BORN- AT SEA. ~,, FEAR OF "YELLOW PERIL" , , AUCKLAND, January 27. Unusual reasons were offered by an appellant at the sitting of the Auckland Military Service Board yesterday in urging that he should be exempted from active service. His name was Parelius Peterson, described as a quarryman, and at present living at Newton. He said he was the son of a Norwegian, and was born before his father was naturalised. He was born at sea on a British vessel. The Board explained to him that he was a British subject. Appellant said the had tw r o reasons for appealing. One was that he had a V sister living in the Dominion who would "feel lost" if he left the country. In reply to a question he said he did not support his sister. His chief objection, to serving waf that be could not bring himself to kill any man. If a German attacked your sister, what would you do?—I would deal with him the same as I would if he were a Norwegian or an Englishman. Pressed further by the members of the vßoard, appellant stated that his real reason for objecting to go to the war ar a combatant was, the “yellow peril.” The Chairman: What do you mean? —i mean that we are helping to bring nearer the “yellow peril" by every white man we kill in Europe. Major Conlan: That is not a religious ground. Appellant: No; my appeal is on conscientious grounds. , The Chairman: It is* not even thatj Yours is*-merely a political opinion. To • what Church do you belong?— The Unitarian. Is it one of the fundamental doctrines of that Church to refuse to take up arms? You have got to satisfy the Board of two things—one that you belong to a Church that is absolutely and definitely against taking up arms, and secondly that you are a full member of that Church. Yours is a personal belief, and is not backed up by your Church. Appellant: Have Ino freedom of conscience? The Chairman: No; you must prove that you belong to a Church which lays down definitely that it is against taking up arms. Individual opinion does not excuse you. You must prove that you belong to a Church that holds Y your views. Appellant; -I was born before my father was naturalised. If I leave the colony now, do I not cease to be a Brit- ‘ ish subject? Am I not a British subject only so long as 1 remain here? ' —s The Board was unable to Recide this question, and adjourned Peterson’s case until this morning.