OBJECTION TO FIGHT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1737, 12 July 1917, Page 4

OBJECTION TO FIGHT.

SYMPATHY WITH GERMAN. The ease of a reservist who objected to fight because his -parents were German came before the First Military Service Board this week. John A. Bock, a salesman and win-dow-dresser, living at St. James Street, Auckland, appealed on the ground that being a son of an unnaturalised German parent it was against Imperial orders for him to be called up for service; also because he objected to fight against his own nationality in any capacity, and that it was against the advice given to his father by the Minister for Defence. Appellant also alleged he was not of military age when he was called up. Appellant said he was 20 years of age in April, and was called up in the June ballot. He was born in a British colony. The Chairman told appellant that if he was 20 years old in April he was of age for service. Major Conlan: Are your sentiments German? Witness: Naturally my sympathies are with my parents, who are both unnaturalised Germans. ' The Chairman: What does your father claim to be? —He knows that better than 1 do. Major Conlan; Have you any objection to do civil work? —I do not want to do anything to help in the war. Major Conlan: Would you do cooking, or anyVork at the camps ? —I have an occupation at present as window-dresser and salesman. Major Conlan: Have you ever done territorial service? . Appellant’s father (from body of tile Court] ; He was never asked to do it. Major Conlan: 1 am told he poohpoohed the idea. The Chairman: I see. You accept all the benefits of the country, and yet refuse to do anything to help it. Appellant; We are nut allowed to leave the country. Mr Pine; You like to have the good limes and let others do the work. John Anton Bock, father of appellant, said he was a German, and had never been naturalised, but his father had been naturalised in South Australia in 1881. The naturalisation only held good in that State, and witness was treated by the New Zealand authorities as a German. Mr Pine; If you wanted the advantages of the country you should have become naturalised. Witness: I don’t know about any advantages, Mr Pine; But your people do. Witness: 1 don’t know anything about my people, but you can hardly expect the sou of a German to go and light. Major Conlan; I am informed that when the. National Anthem is played you laugh?—l would like to know when. Major Conlan; Do you refuse to remove your hat? —When? Who are these authorities ? Major Conlan: Have you ever refused? —Not that I know of. X don’t remember being present when it was played. One would hardly raise one’s hat if it was played in the street. Major Conlan ; Perhaps you would not know it if you hear it. Any' way, it does not matter whether you are German or not, your son is a British subject. Why do you stay in the country:?—Because they won’t let me out. (Laughter). Major Conlan: How long have I you been here? —About 18 years. Major Conlan: You have had ample opportunity of getting away, and judging by your present attitude the country would have been better without you. —You think so? Major Conlan; 1 certainly do, — If 1 had been treated as a man my attitude might leave been different, but 1 have been persecuted by everybody. Sir James Allen told me the recruiting authorities did not want my son. Major Conlan; We’ve only' your word for that. —’Jfhc Minister’s secretary was presen.l. Major Conlan: Yes, but it might be garbled.—ThatAs what happened. 1 don’t come here with any tales. The Chairman ’said the board was satisfied that the son'was a British subject, ayd it lasted with the military authorities as to -what should be done with hiuu The appeal would therefore bo dismissed. Bock, sen. ; (imperial orders are that aliens’ sous’ are not to serve. What’s the use of putting us to till this trouble. What are we expected to do now ? Sergeant-Major Cotton; Como here for your leave pass. .