MILITARY SERVICE BOARD

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3010, 22 February 1917, Page 4

MILITARY SERVICE BOARD

.__s A CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR.' By Telegraph.—Press Association. < Auckland February 21. At the Military Service Board to-day, Frederick 15. Mason, a science teacher at the Technical School, appealed on, the grounds of occupation and conscientious scruples. Appellant is a member of the Central Mission, and he said he resigned his commission as bandmaster in the Territorials directly he knew that he was drawn in. the ballot.

In reply to a member of the hoard, ho said that he did not consider his position peculiar, as he felt compelled to take charge of the band. The minister of the Central Mission Church stated that thero was nothing in the doctrines of their Church forbidding the bearing of arms. Many members had gone to the front, and no appeal had been made before. Tho appeal was dismissed, with, leave till April. AN ALIEN'S APPEAL UPHELD. 'AN UNUSUAL CASE. Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, February 21. An unusual case came before the Military Service Board to-day, whon August F. Weniger, of New Lynn, applied for exemption, on the ground that he was an engineer engaged on a mail boat, and that he was not a naturalised British subject. The appellant stated that he was born in London, bis father having been, born in France, of a French mother and a Swiss father. His mother was a Belgian, and his parents had been in New Zealand about 11 years and neither they nor appellant had been naturalised. To Major Conlan, appellant said that he had never been allowed to vote, and never regarded himself as a British subject. He had not attempted to become naturalised, and would probably not have bothered about making an appeal but for the sake of his mother,' who was not strong. Appellant's mother, in reply to a suggestion by Mr. Elliot, that if on the Continent Weniger would be liable for service, said she thought not, as her son was not strong, and his father had died of consumption, whioh would bar a man from service in the army of Belgiunij even if it was known to ho in the family. Her Bon would be probably kept in a munition factory, or something of the sort. The board decided.that, on the evidence, appellant must be considered an alien subject, and the appeal was upheld..