EIGHTY THOUSAND MEN. WHERE ARE THEY?

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1676, 17 February 1917, Page 3

EIGHTY THOUSAND MEN.

WHERE ARE THEY?

Speaking at Palmerston on Wednesday, the Hon. G. W. Russell, Minister for Internal Affairs, said he could not refrain from saying a word or two on what the Dominion had done in the war. It had been said at the outbreak that the Dominion would give its last man and its last shilling to the prosecution of (he war, and since the war opened no less than 70,000 men had gone to Ihe front and 10,000 were in training in the camps. They had all hoped that the necessary troops would be raided voluntarily, but the lime arrived when the compulsory clauses of the Military Service Act had to be put into operation. It was only fair that the one section of our manhood which had gone forward voluntarily should be siqiported, even if that support was only to be got by compulsion. (Applause.)

MILITARY SERVICE BOARD WANTS TWO BROTHERS.

Two brothers from’ the Feilding district, who should be in camp, are missing, and another brother of the same family, when he appeared before the First Military Service Hoard, of which Mr D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., is chairman, Avas subjected to a severe cross-examination • as to their Avhereabouts. He was Vincent Carrol, of Glen Oroua, whose appeal was previously adjourned sine die. Captain Walker (military representative), to appellant: There Avere two brothers of yours avliosc appeals were dismissed and they Avere supposed to go into camp, but have not done so. Where are they‘1 —I do not know.

Captain Walker; Have you heard from them.' — So.

Captain Walker: Have they been on the farm la lel v? —Xo.

Captain Walker: I may as Avell jell you that neither of them have turned up, and that they are guilty of desertion. They are deserters, and will be treated as such. They had better turn up as soon as possible, otherwise their punishment will be greater. * The Chairman: We are under the impression that you know where thev are.

Witness: If 1 wa- to be si.ruckdead now I do not know their whereabouts.

Captain Walker; These two huA’e cleared out, and it is open for this Court to put you into camp at once. If they do not turn up immediately I will press the Hoard to dismiss your appeal and pul you into camp at once. We Avant (avo of the Carrols, and they are dodging us. It is quite evident that they are trying to put everybody to as much trouble as possible.

Appellant: 1 cannot be responsible for Avhat they do. You are making a victim of me on account of them.

The Chairman: Have they operated on the bank account since they have gone .’ —Oh no. Captain Walker; Was that not part of the game for them to disappear and you to pretend not to know where they are! —There was no such arrangement. Mr M’Laren: Were both these men medically examined.’ — Yes, both were passed as very lit. Captain Walker: Jt was their intention when they left you to go into camp? —Yes, that was their intention all right.

Captain Walker: Hid you know that they refused to take the oath? —No.

Mr M’Laren: You can’t pitch any tale to me that you know nothing about your brothers. You’re not children, neither are we. You know where they are all right.

Witness : No I don’t. The Chairman; Oh, nonsense!

The board reserved its decision until Thursday next.

“And you try and get your brothers, Carroll,” was the Chairman’s parting shot. “Yes, I will do so,” said appellant as he left.