MILITARY SERVICE BOARD.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 March 1917, Page 1

MILITARY SERVICE BOARD.

An Important Cecision. Per Press Association.— Copyright* BLENHEIM, March 26. At the hearing of an appeal by Father Patrick Fay at the Canterbury Military Appeal Board a copy of a newspaper was produced containing tho report of an Archbishop’s appeal in respect of the same priest in Wellington, where the ease was adjourned sine die, with it.he condition that the case he reheard the second dviisdon. The Chairman, Mr Evans, S.M., gave an important, and far-reaching decision regarding the certificates granted by tlie Minister for Defence. Mr Evans said it was a mistake to have a personal appeal heard before one board and the Arclibshops appeal before another. There was no Minister’s certificte attached to this appeal and he regretted he could not follow entirely tlie decision of the Wellington board. He did not consider the appeal board could nut any condition on the Deteuce Minister’s certificate unless the evidence justified the board in over-riding the certificate. The certificate is prima facie sufficient evidences of hardship, and it became conclusive evidence of hardship unless evidence to the contrary was adduced before the board. Tlie duty of producing such evidence, if it existed, lay on the military authorities, and if no such evidence was produced then the certificate was sufficient evidence of hardship and should be given effect, to unqualifiedly. As a certificate had been issued in respect to this priest, this board would act on it, as no evidence to tlie contrary had been brought before the board. The appeal was adjourned sine die without the condition imposed by tfhe Wellington board.