SCENE IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 6 February 1917, Page 2

SCENE IN CHRISTCHURCH.

“I’M NOT GOING! TO THE WAR.”

! There was a considerable hullabaloo at the sitting of the Military Appeal Board at Christchurch on Friday, when Martin Francis Rings, a clerk, of Cav:ersham Street, appea-.ed on the ground that he was of German extraction. “Then I am sorry ior you,” remarked the Chairman (Mr. H. W. Bishop, S.M.) Rings said his father had been ;n New Zealand for 38 years and had been naturalised for 29 years. He had served for 22 years in the police force and had been discharged owing to Ins nationality, with a discharge marked “Conduct not satisfactory,” notwithstanding the fact that he had a service and conduct medal. He had also been debarred from receiving the pension, to which he was justly entitled. Appellant thereupon appealed on the grounds that he had to support his parents, with a proviso that he would serve were his father granted his proper rights. The Chairman said that part of the appeal had nothing to do with the Board, and from his knowledge of the case there were several allegations in the statement of the appellant, which were untrue. Appellant was liable for service, and he would have to

serve. Appellant: I am not going to the war; that’s straight. The Chairman; Oh! Aren’t you? The appeal is dismissed. The Appellant: Then you’ll carry me there if I go. I tell you I’m not going. The appellant’s father and mother then put in an appearance and harangued the chairman in loud and excited terms. “Blood is thicker than water, and don’t you forget it,” shouted the appellant. “Why didn’t they put me on Somes’ Island at the start ” demanded the father. “He is not going to the war,” asserted the mother. The Chairman declined to allow either of the parents to make a statement, and called for the sergeant to remove the trio. “Talk about your British fair-play. The Germans are fairer than that!” was the appellant’s parting shot. "I’m glad to hear it,” rejoined the Chairman. There was considerable noise in the lobby after the departure, but eventually peace was restored.