AN ALIEN SUBJECT

Hokitika Guardian, 24 February 1917, Page 3

AN ALIEN SUBJECT

Exempted From Service

Auckland, Feb 21

An unusual case was before the Military Service Board to-day. August F. Weniger, of New Lynn, applied for exemption on the ground that he was an engineer engaged on mailboafp, and that he was not - a naturalised British subject. Appellant stated that he was born in London, bis father having been born in France of a French mother and Swiss father. His mother was Belgian. His parents bad been in New Zealand about 11 year?, and neither they nor appellant bad been naturalised. To Major Conlan : He bad never been allowed to vote, and never had regarded himself as a British subject. .He had not attempted to become naturalised. He would probably not have bothered about making the appeal, but for the sake of his mother, ■who WB3 net strong.

Appellant’s mother, in reply to a suggestion by Mr Elliot that if on the continent Weniger would be liable for service, said she thought not, as her son was not strong. His father died of consumption, which would bar a man from service in the armies of Belgium if it was known to ba in the family. The son would probably be kept iu munition factories or somstthing of the sort.

The board decided that on the evidence appellant must be considered an alien subject, and the appeal was uchald.