THE CALL TO WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2963, 29 December 1916, Page 6

THE CALL TO WAR

MORE APPEALS

BEFORE MILITARY SERVICE BOARD

ONLY ONE UPHELD

SOME DISMISSED; OTHERS ADJOURNED

Yesterday the Military Service Board continued the liearing of appeals for. exemption from military service. Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M. (Chairman), Mr. 'D. M'Laren, and Mr. Guy Williams were the members of tho Board, and Captain G. K. .0. AValker was the military representative. Nineteen appeals were dealt ' with, and only one was -upheld. That one was tlio appeal of a. Lower Hutt boy whom the hand of death Lad made tho liead of a family by removing the father shortly after their arrival here from Ireland. , A Sporting Chance. "Having a shot at exemption" was the attitude of Charles Connor, a "Wellington bricklayer, thirty-one years of - age, who appealed on the ground tliat ho was supporting his father and an ■ invalid brother, both of whom were in ; England. Toward tho end of his caso Connor "remarked that he did not see why ho had not as much right to appeal as some of tho married men who had no children. The Chairman: Just so; and you are , having a shot at it.Connor: You're righ ( t:._ I leave it to you. -■ '••■'' He was askod how much money he sent his-father and brother. His answer was to tho effect that .he sent about £30 yearly. The Chairman:. If you go into camp v , you will got ss. a day. You could send 3s. a day to your, father and brother. ■ That would be a guinea a week, and •in a year it would amount to over £50, , - a good deal more than you say yon send now. '* '- ■ '_. . The appeal was dismissed. V Case of Hardship Upheld,' 1 / John Shiel, of Lower Hutt, a lab- . ourer at iho Petone Railway Work-' " shops, twonty-one years of age, single, ; urged unduo hardship as tho ground of his appeal. He said he was the main and almost the sole support of j his mother and some younger children. The appeal was allowed on the . ground of undue hardship. . Farmer Temporarily Exempted. | Victor Mexted, farmer, ; Porirua, ap-' poaled on the ground of public interest and undue hardship. He said he worked a farm for his parents, who were v. over seventy years of age. He had no help. There were about 200 sheep on tho farm, and a few cows. Also he did somo cropping. Ernest AVindley, a neighbouring farmer, gave evidence to the effect that Mexted often had to work till twelve o'clock at night. He was the only single son. Tho parents hacT "had a life of hard work, and were now growing feeble. Labour was scarce about Porirua, and he did not see where Mexted could obtain assistance. Ab far as producing went, Mexted was doing a good share. : : ;■ * Mr. Cooper: If Mr. Mexted go to the war, could you assist to'carry on the farm for him?. ...

Witness : We could give assistance, but from a producing point of view -that would mean a big drop. For one thing tho cows would have to go. The board reserved its decision till February 28. Appellant was granted ' exemption from military service in the meantime, provided; he remains in his ; present occupation. ' Coachbuilder and Transport , Importance, The .City. Motor and ; Carriage _ Works appealed' for the exemption of James Crowley, coachsmith/182 Tina- ■ kori Road, Wellington. ' Mr. A. W. Blair; solicitor, appeared -in support of the appeal. He said that Crowley was the only, coachsmith the • firm could get, although the business could easily carry two. , They had advertised throughout New Zealand, and bad a standing order with the union, - , arid were still unable to : get a 'man. .The work was peculiar and highly • skilled. It included all the iron, work ."attached to vehicles of all descriptions. ' The work consisted very largely of re T pairing commercial vehicles. The-whole T:'of the. work pitoted .around this one .v';man, and if ho had.to go it meant' closing down the establishment. CleoE Bine Hush, manager of the \ appellant firm, said' Crowley's work ' consisted-partly of tempering springs for commercial vehicles. It was delicate work, requiring expert knowledge. - If Crowley had to go to the front it would virtually involve closing down :~the-business. He alroady worked long ••• hours in an endeavour to cope with the ■; work. . G. .J. W. Wale, secretary of the ' Coachwork-ers' Union, said if the coachsmith went out of a business .the firm . would have to close down. Without - coachsmiths transport vehicles could ' not be attended to, and tho transport services would be interfered with.

: The b.oard reserted_ its , decision sine die, Crowley to remain his present , 5 ■ employment, and to report ori the . " 23rd of every month to the officer in ] J charge of tho city military group. - i Medical Unfitness Urged. * TKomas Charles Lloyd-Cox,. who described himself as a journalist, ap- " pealed on the grounds of public interest and undue hardship. Mr. H. E. Evans appeared for the appellant, and said that he had enlisted for the 17th Reinforcements, but had been rejected. He had recently been ' assured by Dr. Shand that he would never he pissed as fit for. active service. Mr. Evans suggested that tho hearing of the appeal should be adjourned so that Cox could be examined - by the medical military.; It was agreed that this might bo a short course to talco, and tho appeal ' : was adjourned till to-day, Cox to be ■ : examined meantime. Dairy Farmer's Case. Undue hardship and public interest . : were the grounds for exemption urged ■ bv Henry Thomas Simmons, dairy far- ■ mcr, Otaki, a man of twenty-eight ■ : years, the area of whose land is 150 acres. Appellant certain financial considerations, and said that b.v_ about May next he would raise no objection to going into camp provided he could , get someone to carry on the farm. t Tho board reserved its decision till March. Exemptionfrom military service was granted in the meantime, provided ho Temains in his present occupation. Captain Walker: That means, Mr. Simmons, that if you sell the farm you will have to go into camp. Immediately Dismissed. David John Morgan, carpenter, Wellington, who had lodged an appeal" on 1 th'e grounds of undue hardship, public interest, and roligious objection, did not. appear when his name was called, i ! and his appeal was immediately dismisspH; 'An Appellant on Holiday. Wybert Marmion Moore, Civil Servant, Wellington, had lodged an ap-

peal on tho grounds of public interest;, undue hardship, and religious -objection.

It was stated that Moore, thinking the board wild not sit during the holidays, had amo a way from Wellington for the vacation, and would not return till January 3.

His appeal was adjourned till January 5. . The Plumber and Public Health. The employer of Percy Edward Key, plumber, Tasman Street, Wellington, applied for Key's exemption on tho ground'of public interest. Mr. J. S. Barton, solicitor, appeared in support of the application, and said the supply of plumbers had already fallen below that needed to maintain public health. The Master Plumbers' Association backed the appeal. Thomas Ballinger, local vice-presi-dent of the Master Plumbers' Federation, deposed that a iyear' ago there were 900 registered plnmbers in New Zealand, but 350 plumbers had enlisted. The board dismissed the appeal. Petone Plumber's' Position. Richard Wood Jenkins, plumber, Petone, appealed on the grounds of public interest and undue hardship. Mr. H. E. Evans, solicitor, appeared for the appellant. It was stated that Jenkins was a member of the firm of Jenkins and Ryan, and that Ryan had enlisted.

Benjamin Gougli, sanitary inspector to the Borough. of Petone, who was called as a., witness, gave some evidence as to tho amount of plumbing work to be done in tho borough, and tho standing of the', firmof Jenkins and Ryan. However, lie thought the war paramount. _ Decision was reserved sine die, and Jenkins was granted suspension from military service meantime, provided he remains in his present occupation. An Appeal Withdrawn. Ail' appeal lodged by Frank Goldberg, advertising agent, Wellington, did not come on for hearing, a written communication withdrawing the appeal having been received by the baard. A Farmer's Hardships. Jacob Trougbton, farmer, appealed, and in his behalf Mr. J. M. Dale, solicitor, put forward tho grounds of public interest and undue hardship. The. hardship was said to be financial, and it was added that if this could be overcome Troughton woulcT not objcct to being called' up. Appellant stated that his farm was at Lower Hutt, and that hei, was 42. years of age. The property consisted of 28 acres, and on it he reared pigs 'and grew vegetables. His financial responsibilities were heavy and several people wore dependent on,him. Decision was reserved * sine die, and the appellant was granted: suspension from military service meantime. He isito remain at his present occupation ancl report to' the authorities on the twenty-third of every month. Home Service for a Stock Buyer. In tho case of Thomas Hope Murray, stock buyer, Masterton, whose employer had appealed, on the ground of public interest, the. military representative stated that Murray had been- declared unfit for foreign service, but fit for home service. Decision was postponed, Murray to remain in his present employment. Coing to the Doctors. Richard Alexander Robertson, carpenter and joiner, 26 years of age, married, asked for three months' extension of time, after being, called up (if he was actually accepted). Ho had once been rejected. The extension of time was sought in order to adjust the property ' matters of his widowed mother. The case was adjourned to have appellant again examined. Tailor's Appeal Dismissed. Charles Webb, tailor, Seatoun, 43 years of age, sought exemption on- the ground that/lie was in supervising makers of khaki clothing. Also he had his mother dependent on him. Charles Cathie, of the firm ivhich employs Webb, appeared, and asked that, if Webb's appeal was not upheld, two months' allowance of time should he given to provide the firm with a chance of getting " a man, to take his place. The appeal was dismissed,_ the military representative undertaking to obtain Webb leave without pay until January 31, 1917.

Reject Withdraws Appeal. Henry Michael Sullivan, clork, Wellington, had lodged an appeal on the ground that he was not a, Reservist and i because of undue hardship. He forwarded a badge certificate as having enlisted and been rejected. When his case was called the military representative stated that Sullivan had forwarded a letter withdrawing his appeal. The chairman: The appeal is dismissed accordingly.' i An Appeal on Shock. \ George Alfred Cook, picture framer, Wellington, l asked for exemption.for at least some , months on the/ground of undue hardship. He said he was 21 years, and that his departure would be a shook to his' mothef, whose health just now was.bad.. Appellant's stepfather gave evidence in support of the appeal. The board was of opinion that the appelant had not substantiated the ground of appeal, and his appeal was dismissed. . Farm Manager's Appeal Dismissed. William Richard Scholes, farm manager, Wainui-o-mata, appealed on the grounds of public interest and undue hardship. He said! he was 29 years old, and that he managed the farm of his father, who was 74. ' The appeal was dismissed on the representative of the military undertaking to obtain Solioles leave without pay until January 31. - Hie board is to resume at 10 a.m. to-day. ■

SOUTH CANTERBURY APPEALS By Telegraph—Press Association. TimarUj December 23. At the sitting of the Military Appeal' Board to-day, the appeal of Alex. John Harrison, fruiterer, manager of an orchard at Tomuka, ivho liad lost one brother at the war, was He was allowed till April to settle Ks affairs. Jack Oldfield, farmer, of Seadown, who had three brothers of military age, ■was allowed till the middle of March. The appeals of Alex. Bain and Donald Bain, brothers, were heard together. They.were partners with two other brothers, and had two brothers at the front. The two appeals were adjourned sine die. William Alex. M'lntosh, a farmer at Burke's Pass, aged 20, worked on his j father's sheep run, which was liable to avalanches-from tho snow country. His father was aged 72.. The appeal was allowed on condition that M'lntosh remained on the run. Arthur Francis Cunnard, of Temuka, appealed on the ground that lie assisted bis mother (a storekeeper). Had ono brother in camp and one who bad returned wounded, and three sisters. The appeal was adjourned sine die, provided appellant stayed in his present occupation. Tho appeal of Benjamin James llogors, farm labourer, Seadown, who married two months ago a widow with threo children, and who had two

brothers at the front, was dismissed, Two monthß was allowed.'

Tho caso of John Sommervillo Lee, aorated water Temuka, who had been rejected, was adjourned for a month to allow of medical examination.

The cases o£ four country farmers, Richard James Gluyas, Frederick John A. Mackonzie, James Corinell, and William Harris, who appealed on the ground of undue hardship, were adjourned sine die. Reginald Malthus said that, with a partner, lie was lessee of Lily bank Run, 70,000 acres of alpine country, carrying 5000 sheep. Ho had one brother at the front and others married. His partner was Mr. Seymour, manager of Burnett's Mount Cook station. T. D. Burnett said ho could not replace Seymour if he lost him. He was required as a specialist .in snow. Malthus was on the Mount Cdok run for six years. Witness had no interest in Lilybank himself. The case was ordered to stand over for tho production of certain papers. A. J. Howes, on a Government lease at Sherwood Downs, said he had _ iv brother at the front who had a half-in-terest in the lease. He had no help in working the property. The appeal was adjourned sine die. Michael Hanifan, farm labourer, working with a chaff-cutter, said he had two brothers at the front. _ The appeal was allowed on the ground of occupation, and in view of tho fact that. Hanifan w'as supporting a mother and sister, who were helped by the brothers' allowances. _ The mother stated that sbe was putting .these away for tho boys.

Wm. Cartwright, farmer, Allandale, with 250 acres" used for grain, said he was doing all his own work. The appeal was adjourned sine die. Alfred E. Gillingham, working on his father's farm at Fairlio, asked for leave till March. He had two brothers, one of, them married and on a farm of his own, and the other went with the Main Body. His father was largely engaged, in publio business. Ho was granted exemption", till March. R. Winter, ploughman, said he enlisted last April, and his appeal was allowed on condition that he continued in his present occupation. Arthur Davey. and Robert Guilford, Temuka, asked for time for examination by the Medical Board before they disposed of their property. This was agreed to.

W. Lawlor, Temuka, said two of his brothers had enlisted. He was working a team on his own small farm and on other farms. Tho appeal was allowed on the ground that Lawlor was needed as a producer.

R. Henstridge, Glenavy. said he was an only son, and the only worker on his father's farm. His father was unable to do much. The appeal was granted, so long as Henstridge remains on the farm.

Tho appeal of W. M. Coskerie, Glenavy, was a similar caso to tho foregoing, and the same order was made.

John Cripps, farmer, AYinchester, said that with a younger brother ho did most of the work on a farm of 380 acres which was largely cropped. Another brother had been drawn, and was not appealing. The appeal was adjourned sine die.

L. Marshall asked for time, and was granted to_ the end of January. . . J. P. Fitzgerald-asked for timo for a brother. They worked a plains farm of 504 acres. He. was granted two months. .

T. G. Pearce, Waitohi, who was farming 157 acres, 50 in wheat, said lie had no help. He had put the farm in tlio market to enable him to go. The appeal was adjourned for three months for harvest and the disposal of the farm.

D. J. Rattray's case was adjourned sine die, his brother having decided to enlist.

A number of men have appealed who have been already rejected, and who are obviously unfit. The Chairman drew attention to "the fact that perhaps an appeal by one of these would bo dismissed, and he would need to settle his affairs preparatory to going into-camp later. He might again bo rejeoted, and would then be in a difficult situation. He would bring this before the conferenco of Chairmen of Boards. The Medical Service Board should be in tho same locality as the Appeal Board. - y THE OTAGO BOARD By Teleeraph—Press Association.' ,

Oamaru, December 28. Hie Ofcago Military Appeal Board concluded its sitting to-day. Thomas O'Connor, farmer, appealed on the ground of undue hardship. He said he supported'his father, aged 8b years, and his mother, and a< delicate sister! The . appeal was dismissed, <TConnor to be called up on February

Ernet George Naish, fruit-grower, appealed on the ground of undue hardship. He said there was no one with practical knowledge to look after his vineries. The appeal was dismissed. Charles Arthur Orr, farm labourer', appealed on the gTound that he was tho sole support of a mother and a young step-brother. The appeal was dismissed. r Sidney Howard Shale, farmer, appealed on the ground that his enlistment would be contrary to public interest, as he" was engaged in the production of foodstuffs. The appeal was dismissed.' David M'Gimprey, farmer,' appealed on the ground that he" suffered from chronic rheumatism. The appeal was dismissed, M'Gimprey to go before the Medical Board. James Roy Mackonachie, whose appeal was adjourned from yesterday, was allowed a month to arrange for tho care of an invalid mother. Valintine Waldron, shepherd, appealed on the ground of tho complicated condition of his estate. Appeal was adjourned until the next sittings. The'case of James Wylio, • labourer, who appealed on tho ground that ha is over age, was adjourned to the next sitting for production of proof of age. James Manson appealed on behalf of his son, James Manson. He said that two of his sons were now serving, and lie was dependent on the son James for assistance. Conditional exemption was granted.