PRIESTS EXEMPTED

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3046, 5 April 1917, Page 5

PRIESTS EXEMPTED

r ADDITIONAI/' APPEALS HEARD. 'Appeals made by Archbishop O'Shca jan behajf of two- Roman Catholic priests, Father Patrick Joseph Smith bad Father Francis Lynch Dignan, were 'considered by the Third Wellington Military Service Board yesterday. The Jnombers of the board were Messrs'. W. H. S. Moorhouse, A.'O'L. Considine, and M. J. Mack.

Mr. H. f: O'Leary, who appeared for; ihe appellant, handed, in certificates Showing, that both men were ordained priests. Hβ stated that there had beett do chaneo in the circumstances emoe lie had last appeared before the board, in support, of similar applications. The evidence given by Aronbishop O'Shea on .a former occasion was put in. Mr, D'Leary. mentioned; that vtho appeals Screre not personal ones.-'.\ " . : Mr. 'Considine:; Several,people have" faiade representations to me .recently, that CathoHca' have not .gone to' the : front in .their-proper quota. When you were before this board before, you made the statement that .14,000 Catholics ihad :enlisted. Can you .verify Jiat? Mr. O'Leary Baid he .would make inquiries on the point. Hisifignres ted !been based on >m official statement that one' priest weift forward as chaplain with each 1000 Catholio uoldiors.' ;^ourteenßoman'.Catt<JiochaiV!«in; B;ha'd gone ■'to , " the.'front/,,, '■'■'■ ' '■-.■: -,- .- | ; '/ Mr. -Considine: I wilT ,mako another btatement, and until itia irorailte-be wronf it must stand. Whfflfc 1 will say 5s this: Of the Catholica -who went from: New Zealand, the casualties were 17 per cent., and of the other people 14 per cent. : ...:'' . ■ ■Mr. Mack: Casualties or death&.r ;

Mr.' Cohsidine: 'Deaths. : x , :■ 'Mr. O'Leary:.That is a moat interest-, sng statement- to"investigate. Parhajas■ it is , tb'e Irish impetuosity, -which car , -' lies them a long way. ■ • ': Captain Baldwin: A very long way jEometimes,'and in\all-directions. • The chairman: Even to the treading. on the.tails .of .coats. . . . :

• The appeals were adjourned sine die, with a : stipulation' that they . shouja foe considered 'again, before tho 'First Division was/exhausted./ "'' '/.: • . .