A VICAR REBUKED

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 37, 7 November 1917, Page 3

A VICAR REBUKED

I'OR: EMPLOYING SEVEN' SERVANTS IN WARTIME. The lioss (Herefordshire) tribunal on August it recently heard the claim lor the exemption from war service of William JJaskerville, gardoner to tho Rev, Theodora Emmott, vicar of Walford-on-\Vye.

'I'he chairman (Alderman I'reece) to the vicar: How ninny men-servants have you at tho vicarage? ' The vicar: A butler (a coloured man), coachman, groom, and gardener. The butler and coachman aro over military age, the Lji-ooni is 18 next month and will go, and Baskervillo is 37. All able-bodied?— Woll, yes. Do you consider it necessary to keep all these servants?—l am bound lo have men. I have two engines, ono for electric light and ono for drainage, attended lo by the butler and gardener. Mr. j'rotheroe. a membor of tho tribunal: How many female servants have you ?—Throe—foot, housemaid, and general servant. 'J.'ho chairman: Hftvo you ftuy family?--JS T o; my wife died a. few moni.hs ago; Do you consider it patriotic, that von aro good to your country, by keep, ins seven people to wait oil you iu these times?—l must have someone. Tho horses want looking after. I have a largo parish with two churches lo attend 10. Alter a private consultation tho tribunal dismissed Baskervillo's claim to exemption on domestic grounds. "As for there boing any need for you in your present employment," said the chairman, "wo further consider there arc no grounds to substantiate that claim. It may not perhaps bo within my duty to express any opinion on the fact'that four men-servants and three other servants are kept at this place, but I am of opinion that it is scandalous that a minister of tho Gospel should attempt lo justify his conduct in keoping all t.hcf=e servants in these times. Our country is at war, but I am afraid this reverend gentleman does'not recognise it, but merely recognises tho Mcessily of keeping himself in luxury and ease. T will say no more."