SOLDIERS’ APPEALS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 281, 26 August 1942, Page 4

SOLDIERS’ APPEALS

Objection To Service

Overseas

Twenty appeals against overseas service by soldiers at present in the forces as the result of being called in Territorial ballots were heard by the No. 1 Armed Forces Appeal Board, Wellington, yesterday. Only one of the appeals _ was allowed. Tile majority were dismissed, though in some cases dates were set for the posting of the men concerned for overseas service. The board comprised Mr. M. F. Buckie (chairman), Mr. A. Parlane and Mr. J. AV. G. Brodie. Mr. C. O. Bell was Crown representative Th<? appeal allowed was that of a soldier in the home forces who is the last remaining son of his family. One brother died of wounds in Egypt and another was killed while on air service overseas. This appellant said that in view of the loss suffered by his parents he wished to be as near to them as possible. He would do all he could for tlie Army in New Zealand Ho quoted a section of the Military Service Act of 1916 making provision for leaving the only surviving son of parents in New Zealand. He also quoted a cabled report of a German decision that in cases where there was only one son left lie be removed from any danger zone in which he might be serving. The appeal was adjourned subject to his not bein'- called on for overseas service. A New Zealand-born Chinese who objected to overseas service said lie would ii-lit in New Zealand, whore lie was looked on ns a British subject and had equal rights with Europeans, lint lie was not prepared to light in other parts of tiie Empire where Chinese were not wanted in peacetime and were not. regarded as British subjects. This appeal was among those dismissed.