FATHER'S ATTITUDE TO WAR

Chronicle (Levin), 15 April 1946, Page 3

FATHER'S ATTITUDE TO WAR

-Press Association

influence on son

Bv Telearavh-

AUCKLAND, April 13. Tiie exteut to which a father's attitude to war could be reflected in his son was an issue raised at a District Courtmartial this inorning when Pte. Douglas Ross Teale, formerly of the 35th Battalion (3rd Division), was charged with desertion and also with losiug by neglect equipment and clothing valued at £15 3s ^d. The evidence showed the prisoner, aged 26, Avas attested in May, 1941, and served in Fiji with the ' ' B ' ' Force and absented himself without leave from Ngaruawahia from May 1, 1943, till April 8, 1946, when he surrendered to the Military Police at Auckland. On behalf of accused, his father, Douglas Teale, said he himself had served in the First World War and had lost the sight of one eyc. As a result of witness's observations after that war, he considered that the treatment of returned men was most unfair and unjust. He was firinly eonvinced that this war, like the previous war, was "an international racket. " Witness's views had been reflected in his son, who had been brought up in an anti-war atmosphere. He had tried to dissuade his son from enlisting, but had strongly disap.proved of his action in absenting himself from camp. Accused pleaded not guilty. The Court's decision will be promulgated later.