Echo of the 1913 hunty Strike

Levin Daily Chronicle, 24 February 1917, Page 1

Echo of the 1913 hunty Strike

f — TACTFUL HAXDLLVG BY THE BOARD. (Te Aroha News. At a recent sittin gof the Military Appeal Board more than usual interest mas evinced when David Williams, dairy farmer Patetonga, sworn, said lie had religious objections. He did not attend any church or belong to any particular set or deinonination, as he believed the church is the enemy of the working man. Also objected to combatant "Service, opposing conscription a 6 it did not include the clergy. It was not in the interests of the working man or the wage-slave. He asserted that in 1913 he was victimised all over the country for his share in the mine trouble at Himtly.

The ehairmn remarked that ias he was now a farmer 011 about 60 acres of good -country he was hraly a wage slave.

Appellant said lie was opposed to the German aggression, but asked "What is the good of helping the military to crush militarism? Would not like to see the Germane win, and was prepared to die to protect liis rights.

The chairman: But I want you to withdraw the appeal on these rotten grounds. Appellant said he was opposed to a certain" class, who were laughing at him now. The chairman strongly advised appellant to withdraw his objection on religions grounds, but appellant said he couldn't do it. He did not agree with the.principle of wfcr, though he had never advised anyone not to go. The Court said he was foolish to let the smart of a former wrong, if it was a wrong, interfere with his present sense of right. They gave appellant friendly advice arid asked was not the court giving him a square deal?

Appellant: "Yes I admit that von are." Further urged appellant hesitated, hut agrtin refused. Offered reasonable time to fix up liis affairs, as the ground of religious objection could not be considered, appellant relatetd ian incident connected with his attendance before the Medical Board. by which he was put to expense to attend. Captain Rogers said that mistake could be pile right. "What is the option?" then asked appellant. The- Chairman said he would like to strike out the objection from his papers and let him go into camp honourably. Exemption was granted until April 3rd. Mr TJosser asked appellant to consider the advisnblitv of forgetting the--1913 trouble until the military aggrfssion was dealt with.