FINE PATRIOTISM

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3150, 31 July 1917, Page 4

FINE PATRIOTISM

WHAT THE MILITARY PEE VICE BOARDS DISCLOSE. "So far the public has not got the true measure of the silent, deep down patriotism of many peoplo in ihis countryi" It" was a member of 0110 of the Military Service Boards who spoke, ami having for six months past occupied the whole of his time hearing eases f° r consideration —not necessarily exemption —and viewing what he had heard "by liia estimate of how the public thought, he had como to the conclusion that the people as a whole were not aware of the extraordinary cases of patriotism and self-sacrifice that had come under his notice, whilst other men were quarrelling about an extra farthing a pound for this or that.

Thore was one case before Hid board in which a young fellow wished to have some six weeks' graco before having to go into camp, in order to arrange soino business matter of urgency. During the hearing of the case it transpired that the young man had five brothers and one sister, and all were at the front— the brothers in the fighting line, and tho sister in one of tho military hospitals in tho capacity of nurse. On (his remarkable record being made known the members of the board, and even the chairman, began to seek logical reasons for excusing the youth (for ho was little else) from making a seventh in the family at the front, so great -was their admiration for the family that was rendering such signal service to the Umpire. As the hearing proceeded the young man perceived the drift of tho argument, and nt once spoke out. "I don't wish to be excused, gentlemen!" ho said; "I inly want a littlo time to fix up my affairs. My brothers have gone, and my onl.v sister has gone, and I want to go too! In another case, in quite a ijifferouh part of the country, the board Heard the appeal of the youngest of a family or twelve sons, eleven of whom, with tho father, had gone to the front. Iwo of tho dozon had been wounded. Jhe joungest was excused for the present. Surely this is a new record. In ono other instance a lady, ft) jears of age, appealed for the exemption from active service of her young ;st sc-n on tho ground that four of her sous had cone forward alreadv. and this wns tho only ono left her.. The board was about In take a compassionate view of the oa,e when a letter was received from the voting man himself Votly _ protesting against being exempted, and insisting on going into camp on tho due dale.