MILITARY SERVICE BOARD

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2948, 7 December 1916, Page 8

MILITARY SERVICE BOARD

VARIOUS APPEALS

RESERVISTS ASK FOR

EXEMPTION

YESTERDAY'S DECISIONS

>: The Military Service Board for the (Wellington District held its first sit''ting in the city yesterday. The members of the board were Messrs. IT. 6. 'A. Cooper, S.M. (Chairman), D. M'Laten, and W. Perry. The Recruiting Branch .Was represented by Captain Walker, Hie proceedings took place in the Parliamentary, Buildings. Concerning Essential Industries, Mr. M. J. Reardon, secretary of the rsew Zealand Slaughtermen's Sederation, appeared to represent members of , the Federation called up for. service. He sai<l that it would save time and trouble if thp bo&rd would make Bome general statcmonij as to essential industries. He Was in, a position to state that there would not be enough' slaugh-x-ermen jn New Zealand to servo tho purposes of the industry. _ Tlio Chairman Baid that no appeals frogi slaughtermen wero before the '•board. . Mr, Reardon said that a general Statement as to intentions would avert hardship. Slaughtermen movid from t>la<» to placo, and might be put to Considerable expense in making appeals. The Chairman said there would be a

general conference of the Military Service Boards to consider such questions. Mr. Reardon would be advised .when a decision had been reached.

Over Age. • John Alexander MlCay (30 Argylo Street, Wellington) forwarded a birth certificate showing that he was over military age. He had been born in jAugust, 1868, and was therefore fortyeight years old. The? appeal was allowed. Marine Officer's Appeal. ' \ • William Whitefield, piarine officer, employed ! on a New Zealand transport, . appealed on account of the nature of his occupation. The Marino Superintendent of tho U.S.S. Company also appealed on his behalf, on tno ground ..that there was a shortage of officers for ship 3. Tho Chairman said the caso would be adjourned _ sine die. If appellant Changed Iris occupation he. would become liable for service. A FAMILY CASE. .. QUESTION OF A' DISCHARGE. , Walter Gilbert Short, of Glenwarlock, Kimboltcn, appealed on the ground of occupation and undue hardship. His notice of appeal stated that already been in camp as a volunteer, and had been discharged l on account of ill;ness. He had recently taken over a farm, whioh he was improving, and he could not get anyone to take over ite management, even'if he could afford to do so. He had' married since his , . 'discharge from camp, and had a child. His age; was 22 years. i Ernest Ebenezer Short, manager, Stud Farm, Feilding, a brother of tho last appellant, appealed on similar grounds. Ho had the sole management of/his father's stud farming business. .His father was suffering from illness, \ ;and would have to undergo a second ' operation. Appellant was the only person who could ran his father's ■special farming business during the latter's incapacity. v

Already Enlisted.' • Mr. M. Myers appeared for the two hieii. He said that the cases had been jbrought under Clause 35 of the Act, relating to tho so-called ''family, phirkers," and he wished to bring certain facts before the board. Walter Short, the eldest of tlio brothers, had Sbeen one of the. first men in New Zealand to enlist.' He had actually left jthe Dominion with tlio Main Body. But •.the transports conveying the troops returned to New Zealand. The men were and taken into. camp. During the nest week or two Short became somewhat seriously ill, and his father, who had agreed to the enlist-

ffient, became alarmed. He pointed out ito the authorities that the Tic# was ill, ' and further that he was under age, feeing then in his-twentieth' . year. As a result of the representations, the Minister himself had instructed that |the boy should be allowed to leave the forces. The father took him away at .. once. Short was in bed for some weeks Buffering from pneumonia, after leaving ' !the (forces. Then he went into hospital in Wellington with a septic .throat, and for some months ho was finable to work. But for the fact that the transports conveying, the Slain (Body had come back to Now Zealand, (Walter' Short -would have been one of 'the first New Zealanders at the front. Mr. Myers added that Walter Short had never received a discharge, and was, and still remained, do facto a member .of the forces. Ho could have been called up at any'time'by the military • authorities.- TJnder'these conditions he could not fairly be branded as a shirker. The Feilding Recruiting Com- '■ mittee had not approached either of the brothers in any way, and apparently .the military authorities had launched the present proceedings without any inquiry at all. Only one other case, as ifar as he knew, had been brought in the same district. The Short family felt the position keenly. Mr. Myers added that Walter-Short was prepared to enter camp r.t any timo as a present member of tho Expeditionary Force, and ho invited the military representative to admit that a mistake had been made. There could bo no harm in adopting such a course. • Captain Walker said the ■ question was simple. Was the man a soldier tor, was he not? If he was, then he could be taken into camp at once. He .would like the board to decide at once whether or not Walter Short was' an . undischarged soldier. ' . Mr. Myers said that if the military representative would not accept tho facts at once, the appeal must proceed. i'Walter Short was ready to re-enlist if he was not already a soldier. Captain Walker said the man had merely to withdraw his appeal, and then he would enter camp at once. Mr. Myers said the man. did ao't wish •to enter camp under clause 35. It ,was true that if his' contention was maintained, the case against'the other 'brother would lapse. But Ernest fjnort would, still be in the ballot. ' -'After discussion, the board decided hear the appeals.

A Stud Farm Business. Proceeding, Mr. Myers . said , thp, father of tlio two boys had the largest Btud farm in New Zealand. The business was of very groat importance to the farmers generally throughout New Zealand. Mr. Short's stud flocks were an important factor in maintaining the standard of-flocks within the Dominion ond beyond. After emphasising this point, Mr. Myers said that the elder son had been in camp, and was willing to go again. Tho father felt that the youngor son was essential to tho consumed success o? the stud farm. Ernest Short, junior, was a genius in the JStiwgeniMit .of stud jnattaiß. He had

full, control of tho' work, and nobody olso shared Lis knofflcdgo. Mr. Myers read a letter from the manager of tho Ruakura Experimental Farm, stating that Ernest Short was tlie mainstay of tlio highly-important stud farm, and his departure would cause confusion and widespread loss. Mr. Short senior was not longer capable of hard work. If the board held that the younger son ouglit to go to the front, ho would have to go, but counsel submitted that tho need' for recruits was not yet pressing enough to justify the withdrawal of sucli a man from an essential industry. » •

Ernest Short, father of the two appellants, said. that his elder son enlisted immediately on the outbreak of war, with witness's approval. He left with tile Main Body, and after the return of the transports was in camp again at Trentham. 'He was suffering then from a very bad cold on the chest, and witness became anxious. He saw Colonel Russell, who wrote to tho Minister of Defence, stating the boy was not fit to go. He then saw tho Minister of Defence, tho letter with him: "The Minister seemed to take up a strong attitude, saying that he was short, of men, and that every man for whom there was room should go," said witness. "I said that if he was going to take up a strong attitude I was going to take up another. I told him the bo.y was under age, and could_ not go without my consent. The Minister then said he would ring up the commanding officer and have-the boy put off. I went down to the boat, and the boy camo off with hie. I put him to bed at tho hotel, and Dr. Elliott told me that he had pneumonia and a. high ' temperature." The boy was very ill for some weeks, and had to be admitted to hospital in Wellington. A Rumour Denied. M'"- Myers: "It is understood that tho Recruiting Committee in Feilding made owtain representations to tho Defence authorities to the effect that you bought tho boy off the ship. Is there any truth in that suggestion?" Witness: "None whatever. I have never paid a penny or been asked to pay. If I had liked to pay his £5 fino he could have pulled out, but I would not have done it. Other men did buy themselves out." Captain Walker said that an Army Regulation had enabled men to buy themselves out in tho early stages of the war. This system had since been stopped. Witness: "I was very sorry to bring him out. I would not have taken any steps, 'but for his health. He enlisted with my entire approval." Not Discharged.

Witness said that, as far as he knew his son Walter had never received a discharge. Witness himself had asked for a discharge when taking his son from the Forces, but / the Defence Minister had refused. His own health was bad. . He had undergone several operations, and could not face hard physical ■ work or , prolonged mental effort. His stud farm wa6 the biggest in New Zealand. The ability to conduct suoh a business was a gift. He, had built up characteristics in sheep and cattle that were distinctive, and ho could not hire anyone to manago such operations. His younger son had had full charge for about three years and a half, and knew every animal on the place. Witness could not claim similar knowledge at the present time, and his son could not'transfer 1 his knowledge of the characteristics and the breeding capabilities of the stock. The farm was of very' great value* to farmers generally, i since it enabled them to secure breeding stock 6iich as they could not produoe themselves. "We- do better work for the public than any politician," said witness. There were 278 stud cows on the farm, and his younger son knew every one of them, and was ablo to select sires, classify offspring, arrange purchases and sales, ■ and so on. Seventy-seven stud bulls had gone off the farm last year. fitness gave figures regarding the stock under Ins control. His eldest son was not a stud expert. In. fact, he very little about the work," and took no interest in it. - Captain Walker produced Walter Short's official papers,. showing that ho was recorded as having purchased his discharge on. l October 14, 1914. One paper "was endorsed■. ''Purchased discharge just prior to, sailing." Witness: "It is a, pure fake, and the concerned has ■ not been game to sign his name." Mr. Myers asked for the production of a list of the men who bought their discharges prior to the departure of the Main Body. The entry mentioned by Captain Walker was made on January 13, 1916, and not at.the time of the alleged' discharge. \ Exrjuined by Captain Walker, witness said that two sums of money had been sent to Walter Short after he left the camp. Tho money was sent Back 1 . Ho did not know why his son had not reported to the military authorities at any time during the last two years. He had got and bought a property in the meantime. Witness had not paid £5 to the Defence authorities for a discharge. He had askect the Minister for a discharge before ho took his son off the boat, and was refused. Since then he had always regarded Walter Short as liable to be called up at any time. Tho boy's health was still poor, and probably ho would not pass the doctors.

Captain Walker: "Then if your appeal in the case of Ernest t succeeds, neither of your sons -will go?" Witness: "Walter will take his chance, the same as anybody else." He dill riot believ© it -would be possible to get anybody to take Ernest's placo on the farm. He liad: not taken any steps in the matter. He could not trust the work to a stranger. He was in a position to pay a good salary, but an. outsider would take several years to learn the ropes, and even then might not have the spccial capacity required for successful stud breeding on a big scale. Bad management could put the work back ten years in six months by producing deterioration in the quality of the stud stock. Ho believed that would bo a national loss.. Ho hail «• third son, aged 18 years. Even if lie gave up all his own public appointments I ho did not feel that in his present state of health he could take oyer all liis younger son's work.

To the chairman: The farm records were complete and could be understood by any breeder. But the books could not convey the special knowledge regarding characteristics and breeding tendencies possessed by his son. His son had taken charge of the farm, under witness's supervision, at the ago of 161 years. It would not bo easy to find a manager capable of working under his supervision.

A Farmer's Evidence. 'Arthur Wheeler, farmer, of Hunterville, son of a well-known stud farmer, said tho management of a slnul fann demanded the constant attention of an expert, who must have a natural gift for the work as well as a love for it. Men of the right type could not bo hired in New Zealand.. Witness did not know of any man who could tako Ernest Short's place. Mr. Short, sen., had all the special knowledge required, and could maintain the stock if lie were able to give time and effort to tlio work as in previous years. But witness was'-satisfied that Mr. Short was not now physically capable of doing all that was required. i Another Witness. John Mooro Johnston, of Pnlineraton North, said that Walter Short had been ill when brought off tho transport' in October, 1914. Any stud-mas-j tor in New. Zealand .would admit that

a manager like Ernest Short could not bo replaced. Expert farm workers of every land wero scarce, and studbreeders were in a special position. Ho did not think'that an efficient substitute for Ernest Short could be found though; ho believed tho boy ought to go to tho war ST ho could possibly be spared. The stud farm work was of national importance, at least as much so as coal-mining. Witness was aware that Mr. Short senior was in a state of ill-health. Mr. Short had given many thousands of pounds lor patriotic purposes. To Captain Walker: Every boy should go to the front if ho could. Both his own boys had gono. But he felt that Ernest Short, with his remarkable capacity for successful control of stud breeding, could not easily bo spared. His departure would have a certain effect on tho quality of the Dominion's flocks. Settled by Agreement. At this' stage the board adjourned for lunch. When the proceedings wero resumed, Captain Walker stated that ho had looked into tho case. The records of tho Main Body had not been kept very well, and ifc was possible' that Walter Short had never been discharged. The appellant was at fault in not having brought the facts beforo the authorities until tho previous day. The military authorities were prepared to accept the statement that no payment had been made in connection with Walter Short's withdrawal from tlio Forces. Payments to cover certain costs had been made in some instances where men had been found to be under age and thoir parents had applied for their discharge. Captain Walker added that the Short family had not been specially selected under _ clause 35. Over eighty other men in the same district bad been notified, but proceedings before the board had been delayed until all the brothers in each family had been served. _ The proposal now mado by the parties, after consultation, was that Walter Short would go into camp, and if necessary would re-attest. Tho 'appeal would stand over in the meantime,-'and could bo allowed when the man was in camp. " The appeal of Ernest Short_ could then stand over sino die, until lie was drawn in the ballot, providing that he remained in his present employment.

Mr. Myers said Captain Walker had stated the case fairly.. If the facts had been known to the military authorities, the proceedings under clause 35 would not have been brought against the Short boys. Mr. Short senior had been very much hurt by a statement'{Fat he had bought out his son. It was clear now that nothing of the kind had been done, and that the rumours regarding tlie Short family had not been justified., After consultation the board accepted this arrangement. The appeals were adjourned sine die, Walter Short to enter camp when directed, and Ernest Short to remain in his present occupation, subject to the choices of the ballot.

BROTHERS ALLECE UNFITNESS,

MEDICAL BQAlffi'iS VIEWS

• Francis Josepn Proctor, school teacher, of Island Bay, Wellington, asked for ' exemption on the ground of undue hardship and physical unfitness. He forwarded a doctor's certificate to the effect that he was "haomophilitic" (liable to severe bleeding from the skin on slight injury). Knowing his physical disability, he had married in June, 1916. A Medical Board had reported appellant to bo fit for service. Investigation of his history "quite discredited the idea that ho was a bleeder." His own medical man had vaccinated him three times since giving him the certificate.

Charles Edward Proctor, draper, of Island Bay, Wellington, a brother of the other appellant, also claimedl to be "haemophilitic," and forwarded a doctor's certificate. A Medical Board had classed him as fit for service. He had a small cliest capacity, and his heart was not quite normal He would be better of "longer and more gradual training in camp than the ordinary recruits."

Tho two cases were taken together. Francis Proctor.said that Dr. Harold' Kemp, of Newtown, had told him he was unfit for service. The doctor had said he would inform tho authorities if witness went into camp. Witness bled for eight days on the last occasion when he hadl teeth out, and the doctor almost despaired of stopping, the bleeding. Vaccination could bo performed without drawing blood. Witness, was employed by the Education Board, and would have no assistance if he joined the Forces unless he became an officer. He had about £150 andl a section of land worth perhaps £100. His wife had no means.

To Captain Walker: He had once bled considerably after cutting his thumb.

Captain Walker said- he did not see how- the btfard could get behind the decision of the Medical Service Board, which had! certified that the man was fit for service. The Medical Board had interviewed the appellants. If the men were not fit for active service they might be used in some other capacity by the military authorities. Exemption could not be given in such a case. The appeal of Francis Proctor was held over in order that the evidence of Dr. Kemp might bo taken. Charles Proctor sai<7, lie was in the same position as his brother. He had been told ho was unlit for service, and ho had married in. Ootober, 1915. He was prepared) to do his duty if proved fit,. but his enlistment would mean serious hardship to his wife. His salary was £i a week. He was buying a house on weekly payments. To Captain Walker: Ho had had teeth extracted, and had! always bled for two or three days afterwards.

The caso of Charles Proctor was adjourned also for the evidence of l)r Kemp.

A Lawyer Appeals. Alfred Henry Barnett, solicitor, Hobson Street, Wellington, appealed oil grouuds of occupation and undue hardship. His notice of appeal stated that he would ba over military age on Juno G, 1917.

The appellant, produced a birth certificate in proof of his age. He said if lie went- into camp he would bo over age before lie reached the front, and would be thrown out.

The Chairman: "You*would be too good a soldier to bo thrown out on any ground."

Appellant said ho was practising as a solicitor in Wellington, and was acting as locum teiicns for 31 r. Frank Newman, who had gono to the front. His enlistment would be unfair to Mr. Newman, and would damage his own business.

To Captain Walker: He did not suggest that he was medically iinfit or that all lawyers should bo exempted. But a certain number of qualified solicitors must bo retained in the country. Ho was dealing with trust accounts and mortgages. 'Tho Publio Trust _ Office could not easily assume additional Work of that kind. When taking over Mr Newman's work tlio military ago had been 40 years, and lie liad been aged 43 years. Captain Walker: Are there iiot plenty of solicitors in tlio Second Division .and over military age to carry on your work?" Appellant: "They have not done 60. Captain Walker: "Because you aro 1 Chairman: "Tho men, who have boon refected would bo available. Captain Walker: "111 what way is tho publio interest affected by your enlistmont, apart from your personal convenience?" ~ | Appellant: "It would cause l.ncqnvcmonco. It is not m the public m-

tcrest that all the lawyers should rush away." Captain Walker: "Can you mention any particular trusts that require your attention?" Appellant: "I had to tako over tho Rhodes Trust." Captain Walker: "I presume there are plenty of solicitors in Wellington who would relieve you of that work with tho emoluments attached." Tho Defenco/autkorities agreed that a solicitor should havo time to settle his affairs.' Tho board ruled that the appeal could not be upheld. Decision would be reserved for ono month in order to give appellant an opportunity to secure a solicitor to take his place. At the end of the month the appeal would be disallowed. Appellant asked for three months. The board consented to allow Mr. Barnett two months to adjust his affairs. ' Wireless Officer Exempted. Harry Brockton Harrison, officer iu charge of the Wireless Station, Wellington, was called. The Secretary to the Post'and-Telegraph Department appealed on behalf of Harrison, on tho ground that he was engaged in essenThe Chief Clerk of Post and Telegraph Department (Mr. A. T. Markman) said that Mr. Harrison could not be spared from tho wireless service. His enlistment would be against, the interests of tho Admiralty as well as the New Zealand Government. Mr. Harrison was aged 41 years. Ho was doing certain work for the Admiralty, and no other officer could take his place. This would apply to tho wholo period of the war. The Dominion had sent away over 130 wireless operators.

The appeal was allowed on the score of public interest. . An Employer's Appeal. Tho case of Arthur Coupland Harding, engineer's apprentice. Wellington, was .taken next. His employer, Mr. R. G. Denton, appealed oil the ground of occupation and undue hardship. The linn had an acetone welding plant, often required in military work, ana Harding was tho only man who had tho requisite knowledge to run tho plant. Mr. Denton said lie had an engineering shop in Upper Willis Street. Ho had already lost three out of five qualified men owing to enlistments. A large part of his work during tho last two years had been for the military authorities. Ho made rifle rests, aim correctors, aiming discs, etc., and repaired targets. Harding was the only man in tho shop who understood the necessary acetone welding process, with the exception of a colonial-born lad of German parentago._ If tho military authorities could do without tho work, witness would not object to Harding's enlistment.

To Captain Walker: A 6talf sergeantmajor liad told him he ought to appeal. He did not know that the work could not ba douo in other shops. Tho work at 2>resont in hand would bo completed in January.

To the chairman: Another man could bo taught the welding process in a few weeks. Instruction was costly, owing to waste of material, and he was very short-handed. v

Victor Harding, brother of Arthur Harding, said his brother was sitTJng for tho matriculation examination and could not appear. Thoir father was in a very weak sfcato of. health.

The chairman said no appeal had been received from Harding himself, so the family circumstances could not bo considered. .

"Witness said his brother had forwarded an appeal, which had been acknowledged by tho Defence authorities. The case was adjourned for the production of Arthur Harding's appeal. The board then adjourned until 10 a.m. to-day.

r SITTINGS IN THE SOUTH

By Telegraph—Press Association,

I Dunedin, December 6. | Tho Military Servico Appeal Board sat at Roxburgh to-day. Frank Armstrong applied for four months' exemption to givo him time to wind up his estate. The late father of appellant managed' the farm. , Wm. Armstrong, brother of the previous appellant, appealed on tho ground that his enlistment would be contrary to the publio interest. Wm. Honne'r/ engaged ou his mother's farm, applied for the same reason, and John Homier appealed for conscientious reasons. The appeals of Win. Armstrong and Wm. Honner were adjourned sine die, on condition that appellants remained in the same positions. Frank Armstrong and John Honner were ordered to report for camp on January 4. At a sitting at Lawrence John and Samuel French, farmers, at Forsyth, appealed on the grounds that their enlistment would bo contrary to public interest. They had a brother .at the front and they managed their widowed mother's farm in conjunction with one owned jointly by both. The appeals were allowed, Captain Free stating that the men should not have been called up under Section 35.