MEN FOR THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 207, 21 May 1918, Page 6

MEN FOR THE WAR

APPEALS FROM THE BALLOT DEFENCE OFFICERS BEFORE BOARD TOE "INDISPENSABLE"

The First Wellington Military Service Board sat again yesterday. Mr. p. G. A. Cooper, S.M., is chairman of the board, and the other members are Messrs. D. M'Lm'on and W. Perry. Captain P. Baldwin is the military representative. Tho appeal by B. F. M'Jfay, telegraphist, was dismissed, and leave till the June draft goes into camp was allowed. Win. B. Davis, now on compulsory home service, was transferred io Class 11 of the Second Division. Sine die adjournments were marlo iu tho eases of Bertram James 'Prosser, Islington, and Colin Burgets, Oainaru, slaughtermen. The National Hat Mills appealed for James Joseph Fox, foreman hatter, and Stanley Midgiey, hat maker. L.isf year the firm had an order for 20,000 hats for the Defence Department. The cases were adjourned till June to nliow the board to consult the National Efficiency Board. Director of Organisation. The Commandant of the Defence Forces appealed for C'nptain Alex. JI'I. Cross, Director of Organisation. Wellington. Evidence was given by Colonel Tale, Adjutant-General, to the effect that Captain Cross's retention was essential, lie had been abroad, served at ttallipoli, tcturned invalided, and had gono back to the war again. On his return lie had lately been found fit, and was doing uetter service here. Experience had told thnt it was not safe to send a, man back Mr." M'Laren said that the Medical Beard should certify to that. Colonel Tale said that Captain Cross was doing important work, and could not be replaced. The- policy of the Department was to allow all fit men to go if possible, but Captain Cross could not be spared. . Tho chairman: Cannot you replace him with an unfit man? Colonel Tate: Yes, if we can find one who is qualified. Mr. M'Laren: Who held the position before him? Colonol Tate: Ho is the first to hold it. It has only recently been eet up. Witness suggested that the case should be adjourned for three months to givo the Department a chance of securing a suitable man. At present thero was ;i surplus of officors owing to their having betn called in the ballots. They had so many officers that they did not know ■what to do -with, them. The chairman: That is why we wonder at this appeal. The board reserved its decision.

Assistant Adjutant-General, The Commandant appealed for Major Charke Erio Andrews, Assistant Adju-tant-General, who had eorved in Egypt, Gallipoli, and France. Hβ wae now doing valuablo work in New Zealand, and (according to Colonoi Taie) there wns no cliance of getting a man to replace him. Decision was reserved. Director of Supplies and Transport. The Director of Supplies snd Transport, Wellington, Major Ostler, also was appealed for by the Commandant. The ground of appeal was that he was not a reservist, being an imperial soldier saut out here on loan. Ho was liable to be recalled to Mjjiand at any moment. it was suggested by Captain Baldwin that the board should Mi Uio Crown Law Oiiice to decide the point whether Major Ostler was a reservist or not. Decision was reserved. Other Officers, Decision was reserved sine die in the case ot Major Charles W. Coles, O.C. Field Forces, iSOTth Read, Auckland. Captain Cross gave evidence to the effect that Major Coles, was indispensable. A returned field officer could not take the place oi a garrison artiliery oliicer. An appeal was made for Staff-Sergeant-Major iiurold William Lacey, signalling instructor, Feathorston. Captain Cross said that Sergeant-Ma-jor Lacej was absolutely indispensable imd irreplaceable. There was ouu other allrround expert, and if either of these men were taken a man would have to bo brought from tho 'front to replaco him. The board reserved decision. Later in Tiie uay tho board announced regarding the. above cases that it was of opinion that as tho reservists worn still engaged in military work, and not discharged, it had no jurisdiction, and that tho question of whether or not they should go to the front rested with, tho military authorities.

An English Wool Valuer. Alfred E. Barker, '■ wool valuer, said time he was an English resident, and hnd been exempted to come out hero and buy wool. His passport was endorsed: "■Valid until the bearer is ca11... up tor ewvice." He was in tho eiupioy of tho imperial Government Supplies Department. He was engaged till October 111 of this year, but would liavo to stay on longer if required. Mr. Ji. llyers, who appeared as counsel for the appellant, said that he understood that in Uunedin it had been decided in two similar cases that the men were Imperial reservists, and were not iiublo to service herb. Captain Baldwin thought that the point should be .referred to the Crown Law Office Appellant added that tins Was hie seventh business visit to New Zealand.

The appeal was dismissed, and it will be recommended that Barker bo returned to England. Post and Telegraph Officers. The Secretary of tho Post and Telegraph Department appealed for Arthur Donovan, assistant record-clerk at the G.P.O. Evidence was given to' the effect that Donovan was the only man left in the Department; tho other hands wero boys and girls. Altogether 2300 men had been released for tho front. Tho Department only appealed in cases oi' shcor necessity, and was prepared io release 200 to 300 men when their time came. An appeal for Arthur Marshall, P. and T. dork, was further dealt with. Both cases were adjourned sino dio, A Taxation Clerk. James Monahan, clerk, was appealed for by tho Taxation Department. It was stated tlmt lloimlmn had been with tiie Department for 15 years, and ho was absolutely indispensable Other section clorks also would have to bo appealed for. Captain Baldwin said that previously it hnd been said that Monahan was tho only man who would bu appealed for. Ho asked I ho reason for the change in policy. It was replied that tho change ot policy was because of tho legislation of last vear. In 1913 the assessments numbered 1300, in HUG 1)6,000, and last year 85,000. Exemption was granted. City Tramway Inspector. Tho City Corporation appealed for Duncan ll'Gillivray, traffic inspector on tho city tramways, who had been in tho Hnrvieo for H years: It was stated that M'Uilhvrny had wished to enlist, but was advised to awnit his turn. One hundred mid twenty men (thirty-thrco per cont.) had unlisted from tho tramway service. Thtre woro not enough tramcars running now to properly cope with the traffic, 'lhero would 'bo other appeals if certain men ueie called up. An adjournment eino die was inune. Other Appeals. Arthur Philip Mun>"). * ,|l(l(l1 teacher, appealed on the ground of umliio linrdEv'idcnco was irivon Hint, appellant's five brothers Imd cniis-i'd voluntarily, and ho had undertaken to remain ami look after his nged parents. Tho board adjourned the casi till Juno. Harold E. Strawbridge, ecionliiic. in-strument-maker, was appealed for by tho authorities of Victoria University Col-

lege. It was stated that it Strawbridge was called up the physical science department would have to be closed up". Decision wan reserved.

AA in. A. Arnold, motor-tyre mechanic, Jlatairni, npjiealed on the ground of undue hardship. It was urged that the chairman of the National Efficiency Board had reported strongly in favour of the industry. Decision was reserved sino die. Charles P. Cake, market gardener, Lower Hull, appealed on the ground of luuluo hardship. The case was adjourned "If no-Kt month. Alfred H. George, storeman, Brooklyn, appealed for family reasons. The appeal was allowed. ttobert C. Jameson, bootmaker, appealed the ground of undue hardship." lie was given leave till June. Leonard A. V. Eeesby, pelt classer, 1 clone, was appealed for by his employer •the case was adjourned till July. In the case of John Stanley Juleff. farmer, .lohiisonville, decision wes reserved ' sine die. ■ i Alexander Mill, Y.M.C.A. field secretary, Trentham, was appealed for, and ' the case was adjourned sine die. "William M'Lean, butcher, Petopo, was appealed for by his employer, and the decision of tho board, was reserved sino die. George P. Avery, salesman, Wellington, asked for three months' leave, and was allowed till the July draft. The case of Oscar li. Greer, Tawa Flat, was further heard, and. decision was reserved till Juue. Tho case of B. C. O'Connor, chemist, was adjourned till next settings of the board. In tho case of Corporal Charles Hurt, whoso wife had asked for his return from the front, no recommendation was made. Herbert W. L. Dreivilt, farm manager, Piirapnrauniu, appealed, and his case was adjourned till July. Time to realise an estate was required. An adjournment was made till the Juno session m the caso of Thomas J. Harvey, clerk, Hataitai. Harvey was on leave from the CI Camp. Threo brothers had gone to the front, and two of them had been killed. Decision was reserved sine die in the case of T. H. Langley, boot factory manager, Kilbirnie. Seven brothers had gone to the front. The appeal of William Oiwford, Civil Servant, on the ground of undue hardship, was heard, nwl tho bonrd reserved decision. Leave till July 3 was given Edward Win. Humphrey, transport shipping clerk.