FAILING TO REGISTER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1644, 30 November 1916, Page 3

FAILING TO REGISTER.

FLAXMILL HAND IN TROUBLE

For failing to make application for enrolment under the Military Service Act, 1910, a man named dames .Joseph Coyle, a. llaxmill employee, of the Shannon district, was called on to make his appearance at the Magistrate’s Court at Palmerston on Tuesday. Mr J. W. Boynton was on the Bench.

In answer to the charge, defendant said he had come across from the United States, and the reason he did not register here was that he was on his way to Australia to see Ids brother. Defendant said he was an ex-soldier himself, having served manv vears in the British Army.

The Magistrate: That' doesn’t get over the difficulty of not registering. You will have to register whether yon were a soldier or not. Have yon registered here? Defendant: No, been use 1 want lo go and search for my brother m Australia.

Evidence was given by Constable Condon, of Shannon, who said ho interviewed defendant last Friday, and asked if he was enrolled. Defendant said. “No,” and gave his ago as 45, and further repeated the statement about looking for Ins lost hrolher. The constable said he asked Coyle if he was going to enrol. The latter replied, “If Ihe Government waul me they will have to cha.se me.”

The Magistrate: The law of this country at present is that every man must; register, and if there are grounds for bringing a charge against a man for not doing so, it is for him lo prove his innocence or otherwise. Defendant: When I came to Now Zealand I did not know I would have to register here. The Alagislrate: It- is a question whether you will, get away from New Zealand just now, registered or unregistered. His Worship said he would convict defendant, and the imposition of a penalty would he reserved till Alonday next. —Standard.