“ MELTING POT ” AND EXEMPTION.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 October 1917, Page 4

“ MELTING POT ” AND EXEMPTION.

New/York’s famous “melting pot ” of the nations has been on exhibition at headquarters of the District Exemption Board, presided over by former Justice Chas. Tv Hughes, who ran for President ol the United States. Men of nearly every race under the sun thronged the Court to appeal their claims for immunity from . army service. Youths from Russia, Columbia, Sweden, Guatemala, Italy, and numerous other lands, filed pact tin: clerk in an unending stream, some hopelessly bewildered, some escorted by lawyers, pressing their claims. "Many spoke English with difficulty. Nearly, all had their first naturalisation papers, however. Plans for exemption covered an astonishing range. “ I am a sub' ject to the Tsar of Russia,” one man confidently declared. He was surprised to learn the Tsar is no longer ruler. Then came the voice of an American, “I’m not seeking ex-• emption from anything. I w'ant to fight in the navy. I just passed the examination wdien orders came not to take aity man liable to be drafted.” An organ-grinder advanced the claim that military music coming from a street piano strengthened the patriotic spirit in his neighborhood ! This plea never reached the clerk. A young Columbian faultlessly groomed, described himself as a student of politics. Another man bore a letter from a school of agriculture, and wanted to stay at home and lie a farmer. Frequently the line of men —black, white and tan—some wearing ear-rings, some in over-alls, some wearing diamonds stood aside w'hile a worried-looking woman pleaded tor some relative.