PLEAS FOB EXEMPTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 January 1917, Page 6

PLEAS FOB EXEMPTION.

FARMERS AND SERVICE. . • TARANAKI APPEALS. A riumber of applications for exemp- i tion from miiltary service 011 the ground | of public, interest and undue hardship, i pre/erred by farmers carrying on dairying in the Tarauaki district, were hoard before Messrs D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., \Y. Perry and D. McLaren, members of the first Wellington District Military Service Board, 111 New ipdymouth yesterday. Captain Orr Walker was the military representative. Albert William McEwcn, dairy farmer, of Carrington road (Mr. A. If. Johnstone) said he was 44 years of age, and was managing two farms for his father, who was over 70, and who was able to do very little work. The two farms aggregated 225 acres, on which 42 cows were milked. A third farm of 171 acres 011 Egmont road was not being worked owing to the scarcity of labor. His father was paying about £•2o3'per year interest on mortgages. There were ten in the family, nine of whom were sons. One was a eoaehbuilder at Wavcrley, two were in the boot business in New Plymouth, and two were farming on Durham road. One brother was at the front, and the other was in camp at Awapuni. The ninth son was in the hospital, and when he was well he wan only fit toffdo light work. Appellant was hard of hearing.

Captain Walker observed that it was doubtful whether appellant would pacs the doctors.

The case was adjourned sine die, the appellant being granted exemption in the meantime. Appellant was ordered to report to the Group Commander each month, and to remain at his present occur, ation.

William Walter Reid Harvey, farmer, Okato, said he was 20 years of age, and was share-milking on a farm leased by Mrs. J. Hughson. He assisted to milk 13 cows, and earned about £3 10s per week. His parents and two sisters resided in New Plymouth.

To Captain Walker: He had tried to get someone to take over iiis share, but without success. He could not say whether the girls in the community could not do the work. His partner's wife was learning to milk. If appellant could get leave for a couple of months Iris partner could manage the farm. The appeal was dismissed, and Harvey Was.granted leave until April 1. Daniel Brophy, farmer, Okato (Mr. G. Grey) said he worked a large farm, on which were stocked 32 milking cows, 200 store cattle and 50 sheep. Ho had been unable to get labor. Appellant had three married brothers who were engaged as farmers. In order to cope >vith the work, nppcllant worked 10 hours a day.

To Captain Walker: He did not think it possible to get his neighbors lo milk his cow 1 ?. They had all they could do to attend to their own farms. The best thing appellant could do was to get his brother, who Tvud some miles away, to look after his farm. He could not effect this scheme until July.

Captain Walker suggested that the farmers should amalgamate and do their utmost to free eligible men. Mr. Grey submitted that Ms would be impracticable.

Decision was reserved until March 31, the appellant to be exempt in the meantime, and to be given an opportunity of making arangements for the conduct of his farm.

Percy Ballantyne Sole, aged 2-0, dairy farmer, of Brixton, said lie worked oil hia father's farm of 250 acres, on which lie milked 53 cows. He was married in June, 11)15, and liafl one child. He liuJ been unable to obtain assistance. If appellant) bad to go to the front his father would sell up the farm and would go in for grazing.

The Board reserved its decision until March 31.

Ernest Sylvester O'Neill, dairy farmer, Urenui (Mr. Johnstone) aged 24, said he worked on his mother's farm of 292 aifres, and milked 35 cows. He was assisted by two bortliers, one of whom was 20 and the other was 10. There were GO ewes and*6o head of cattle on the farm. .Appellant liad had an operation for appendicitis, and would be unfit for several men tli s.

The appeal was dismissed, the question of appellant's fitness being referred to the Medical Board.

Ingram Alexander Charles Colsoir, dairy farmer, Smart road, appealed on the ground that lie had been rejected as medically unfit, and liad since incurred obligations. Appellant said lie was 30 years of age. He occupied an education lease of 170 acres, on .which lie milked 31 cows. His father, who was sli years of age, assisted liiin. The father was not able to do much owing to hi} defective health and an injured hand. Witness had a married brother who worked a farm at Bell Block. Witness enlisted in September last, but was. turned down owing to a weak knee To Captain Walker: He was prepared to go' into' camp provided the doctors passed him and he was allowed' time to complete the milking season. The case was adjourned until the next sitting of the Board. In the meantime 'appellant will appear before the Medical Board.

Decimus Wells, farm manager, Mangorei (Mr. A. A. Bennett), whose appeal was supported by his employer (his mother) said lie managed liis mother's farm of 130 a*res. He hail 13 cows and stocked 2SO sheep and 50 cattle. Appellant explained that he had. nine brothers, six of whom were of military age. None were at the front. Captain Walker: Do you want to go? —No, I don't want to go. That is a straight answer ?—I can't see my way to go. A soldier's life has no attractions for mc. I will do my dutv if 1 have to. Mr. Bennett: None of us want to go unless it is our duty. Captain Walker: I beg your pardon. Most of us want to go. Mr. McLaren: Over 60,000 men have gone voluntarily. CajWn Walker: Have yon tried to arrange with your brothers in order that, you might be relieved?—l have spoken to them. Mr. Bennett submitted that it would be a hardship for Mrs. Wells if appellant went'to the front. The- chairman: What! With eight sons and appellant's allotment! Mr. Bennett: I overlooked the matter of the allotment. The appeal was dismissed, leave being allowed until March 4. Paul Gerstardt Gaustad, farmer, ITrcnui (Mr- A. A-, Bennett) added his conscientious beliefs to the objection of jj^dtial'hardship He said he nmnag-

farm unattended for two years it would become practically valueless to him. Appellant supported his father, sister and an invalid brother. He had a number of brothers, but they had not offered to do anything to support those dependent on appellant. With regard to appellant's religions objections, Mr. Bennett said he recognised that- it' would be of no avail to press lh<" objections.

was dismissed, Captain Walker to obtain leave until March TWO BROTHERS AT THE WAR. Stanley Baker, aged 21, farmer, Rahotu (Mr. T. P. Anderson) said his father occupied a dairy farm of 2(10 acres. There were Gj cows and six heifers. Of his .four borthers two were at the front, one would go into camp next mouth, and one, who resided in Auckland, was married. Appellant's father was not in good 'health, and could only work off and on. Appellant said he. would, like to go to the war, and would have gone before had he been allowed. Tlis going a-way would impose hardship 011 iiis father. Appellant admitted that he had a borther-in-law doing laboring work in the district. Captain Walker considered this was a proper case for a concession.

The appeal was dismissed, Captain Walker undertaking to obtain leave until April 20. Henry Arthur iPr-njean, farmer, of Tariki, said he worked on a dairy farm of 430 acres, and milked 7.1 cows. AVitncss was assisted by a brother. One of his brothers was on active service. To Captain Walker: The land was worth £23 per acre. ITis brother-in-law was managing another farm of his mother's at Omata. This faun had art area of 200 acres.

Mr. Perry (after considering figures supplied': I don't see how wages are got out of the farm at all. It would be better if the owner got rid 01 the business altogether. The appeal was dismissed, C.-.ptain W::ilkcr undertaking to obtain leave until April 1.

SERVED IN THE BOER WAR. Wilfred William Newton, aicd 41, dairy farmer, of Tariki, said he had five years' service in the Boer war and would like to go to the front again, provided he was given time in which to dear the blackberry off his farm and sell his stock. lie would have gone long ago had he been able. He had been trying for years to sell the farm. TJjp appeal was dismissed. Captain Walker undertaking to obtain leave until April 20. PLEA OF HARDSHIP. Richard Abraham Warner, mixed farmer, Talaraimaka, objected on the grounds of undue 'hardship and religious beliefs. He said lie was 24 years ot age and had been married eight months. The farm he owned had an area of 518 acres, on which were 50 head.of cattle and 500 feheep, including ICO lambs. He also milked 21 cows. Appellant had also religious objections. To Captain Walker: Appellant- was assisted by a boy of 17. He had fivj brothers, who were farming in different parts of the country. ' He had 110 brothers fighting. One had enlisted, sold his farm, and after spending sonic time in camp was rejected.. lie did not think anyone could be released to work his farm. His brother at Opnnake would go to the front if his health would let him.

Dcceision was reserved until April 31, to enable the appellant to make arrangements concerning the conduct of his farm. ~ A RELIGIOUS OBJECTOR. -

Jack Nelson, a 'laborer, of Moluroa, expressed iiis objection to military service in the following 1 letter:—"l appeal on the grounds of God's word, that I cannot see from it, for myself, to take up arms, and 'liave thought it over since the outbreak- of war. But will do all I can to assist in saving life.'' In answer to the chairman, appellant said he was a member of the Fellowship of Brethren. He had been a (member for over three years.

The chairman: Is it against the tenets of the Brethren to fight?—l can't speak for others. I can only speak for invaelf.

The appeal was dismissed. ' ; ■ ; ' A PATRIOTIC FAMILY. ' ' Leonard Frederick Ilamblyn, aged 20, said he had five brothers at the front, 'one of whom was.missing. He worked on his father's farm at Tariki, and milked 40 cows. There were four sisters and two 'brothers at home. His father was 50 years of age.

The chairman: You have scarcely proved hardship. The appeal is dismissed.

Captain Walker: It is one of the vagaries of the ballot that a member of u family like this should be caught, but it cannot be helped.

A CLERK'S DIFFICULTY. Frederick Arthur Xiaholls, clerk, Inglewood (Mr. A. 11. Johnstone) applied for exemption on the ground of undue hardship. Appellant said be was 20. years cf ago. lie managed the grocery ami bakery business of B. 11. Nicholls and Son, Inglcwood. Subsequent to his father's death four or five years ago, tho business was assigned to a trustee for the benefit of the creditors, and ultimately for the 'benefit of the family. There were seven sons, three of whom were married and had families, and five daughters. Of the four single brothers one was a cripple, one had been to the front and bad returned a (ripple, and tlie third brother was now in England on active service. One sister was married to Lieutenant W. P. Aldridge, a returned soldier, who had lost an eye at tlie front. It was a difficult matter to wind up; the business. Witness appealed on behalf of his family. To Captain Walker: The business was a going concern, and was doing well. It would be a hard job to get someone to take appellant's place. It was to the interests of the creditors and other beneficiaries to keep appellant in tin: position. The appeal was dismissed, Captain Walker undertaking to obtain leave for appellant until March 4 next. A CONTRACTOR'S HARDSHIP. Rees RadelilTe, aged 35, road extractor, Cruti (Mr. A. A. Bennett), asked for time in which to 'complete the contracts which he and bis partner had in hand for the Clifton County Council. Appellant gave, details of tlie contracts and said that he and his partner \Vf.re crushing metal and laying it on the main road leading to Mount Messenger. \ The'appellant remarked that it ,wonld bo hard luck if lie lmd to give up the •work. ■ - . •! Captain Walker said the war was;

The appeal was dismissed, and Radclilfe was given two months' leave. NOT A RESERVIST. William Edward Aisli, fanner, of Tataramaika, said he was married in 1837, and was 4(1 last March. The appeal was allowed, on" the ground that Aisli was not a reservist. NO APPEARANCE. The appeal of William James Mackenzie, plumber and boiler attendant, who appealed 011 the groin: Is of public interest and undue hardship, was called on three separate occasions, and was struck out, the appellant making 110 appearance. WITHDRAWN, The appeals of Sydney Alfred Hedges Robb, clerk, New Plymouth, and Iler- | mann Bollinger, railway clerk, New Plymouth, were withdrawn.