A DESERTER?

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3006, 17 February 1917, Page 11

A DESERTER?

.. THE CASE OF A SEAMAN INCIDENT AT APPEAL BOARD It was stated at yesterday's sitting of tho .Third-Wellington Military Service Board that a man for whom t'uo secretary of the Seamen's Union (Mr. W. T. Young) was appealing had left Now Zealand in a vessel, since being drawn in the ballot. , Captain Baldwin (the military representative) remarked that tho man thus became a deserter. Mr'. Young: That is rather peculiar. Captain Baldwin : A man is iiot supposed to leave until after his' appeal is heard. Mr. Young: A' man is a free agont until his appeal is determined. Captain Baldwin: That may he your ■ reading of tho Act, hut it is not tho correct one. ' Mr..' Young: I dp;n't know- so much about that. Captain Baldwin: We shall havo to take steps, anyhow. ' ' • Tho Act was read to Mr. Young. Mr. Young: But is tliore not a final Appeal Board? Captain Baldwin: No, nolle lias ever been set up. Mr. Young: Is there not provision for it in tfle Act?. . Captain Baldwin: If. the Minister pleases to set it up. . ; The chairman: He has not thought fit vet. Tho chairman: Well, what aro you going to do abput it ? ' Captain Baldwin: I should like Mr. Young, to bring mo a complete'list of tho men in his union, and, as far as he can, tho number of men encaged on Union Company sorvices and all the other services. ■ . Young: With air .deference, I don't feel disposed to do that. Captain Baldwin: Very well: tho Board can hardly deride whether a man is essential unless it knows how many men tliore are and what they are doing. ; Mr.'Youngs I mav tell you that there are (roughly) about 4000 men on our books, but I don't 1 think you aro entitled to know tho names of i)C3y»inen in our organisation. : Captain Baldwin: t don't want tho names,, but tho numbers. Mr. Young: Gantain Baldwin already has the numbers; and, if he sayS lie does not want the names, may I ask wlmt lie does Vai'it? " Captain. Baldwin: T want some .verification of .their numbers and the. employment they are iiil - ■ I will subpoena Mr. .Young to got, these particulars; '.