MILITARY SERVICE APPEALS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 February 1917, Page 7

MILITARY SERVICE APPEALS.

lIAWERA APPEALS. A PATRIOTIC FAMILY. Tli? following cases were heard on Thursday:— Douglas Paterson, dairy fanner, of Lake road, Hawera (Mr. Welsh) deposed that he was aged 23, and worked for his father, J. W. Paterson, who 'was aged 72. Two of his brothers had volunteered, one with the Bth and the other with the 11th Reinforcements. His father was almost stone blind and was leaving for Dunedin. There were three sisters on tho farm, one of whom was delicate. His brother was aged 27. The area of tho farm was 142 acres, and they were milking G2 cows by hand. Appellant was anxious to enlist, but wanted time for his father to come_back from Dunedin. 'Mr. Welsh said that the elder hoy was prepared to go instead of his brother, and would enlist at once, provided the same time was given. Captain Walker said he was afraid this would create a precedent. Had one volunteered previously it would have . overcome this. The appeal was dismissed, leave being given till, April !• A SECOND EESERVIST. Adam Pickering, motor and machinery expert and salesman, Hawera (Mr. Spratt) appealed on the grounds that he was a reservist of the Second Division. He submitted a marriage certificate dated September 24, 1911, and a birth certificate dated October 31, 1912. Evidence was given that his wife was sine# 'dead and that the child was living. Appeal allowed. AN ALIEN. Frederick Godfried Arnet, blacksmith, Hawera (Mr. O'Dca) appealed on the ground that he was not a reservist, being an alien. His parents, who were botli born in Switzerland, were resident in the Dominion, but had not been naturalised. Witness was born in New Zealand, but when two or three years of age was taken to Switzerland, where he was educated, returning to New Zealand ir» 1910. He had never exercised any civil rights. His father. Joseph Arnet, deposed that he came to New Zealand in ISSI, returning to Switzerland in 1597, teturning here in 1010. He was not naturalised, neither was his wife, Mr. O'Dea qouted a similar case from Auckland in that morning's Daily News. The chairman (to Captain Walker): Mate you considered this point? My opinion is that he is a British subject, having been born on British soil. 1 He thought the Auckland decision, at first blush, was wrong. ■ih. O'Dea: That case should be follov/id. Captain Walker said the point was a new one to him. He asked that the case hp. adjourned until he submitted the case , to the Solicitor-General for an opinion. I This course was agreed to. A 6 yesterday's sitting of the Board, CaptaiD Walter said he had received the following telegram from the SolicitorGeneral: "Frederick Arnet, appellant, having been horn in New Zealand, is a natural born British subject and a Reservist. Nationality of hi s parents is immaterial." A RELIGIOUS OBJ.ECTOR. Harry Rankin, farm hand at Kakaramea, aged SO years, appealed on the ground ft religious objection. He was a member of the Testimony of Jesus for the past four and a-hal! years, and it 'was against their convictions to fight. Appellant said that he was not prepared to take life nor to save it. The chairman read the subjection regarding non-combatant service, which appellant would not agree to. Tho appeal was dismissed. YESTERDAY'S SITTINGS. The first Wellington Military Service Board continued its sittings at Hawera yesterday. Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., presided, and associated with him were Messrs D. McLaren and Guy Williams. Captain Walker appeared military \i3jraeentaiiws.

-PEDIGREE CATTLE AND TESTING!.

TK STING. Puilio interest was tlie ground on fwhieh Fred Mills, dairy farmer, Tokaora, appealed. Appellant's father appeared, the appeal being lodged at his instance. His son had been willing to go to the front, and so had he, but lie (tho father) took the istand that the boy was doing his duty by remaining where he was. Ho now asked the Board to decide what they thought he should do. Appellant said he married in June, 1915. He assisted to farm 170 acres, on which he kept 130 cows, including 110 stud cattle. Ten -of the cows liad to be milked by hand. A sister, aged 14, helped him. His father did work on the farm. His mother did the house-work, and his who was not robust- and had not been brought up on a farm, did not help with the. milking. lo Captain Walker: He had expert knowledge of breeding stud-cattlc. His father did not know as much about them as he did, but he might be able to teach him. Appellant gained the knowledge by experience. His father could not do all the work, because he was not strong enough. Appellant took over the management of the 'ierd three veais ago. Prior to that hi? father managed it with appellant's assistance. His father was president of the A. and P. Assooiation. He questioned whether outside assistance could be got at the present time. If appellant were taken away, he thought his father would have to go out of dairying. To Mr. Williams: It was absolutely necessary, if his father carried on the stud farm, to miljc the cows": He carried on semi-official tests with a view to ascertaining the value of the herd. Dairying had now advanced so much that settlers would not buy a bull unless its records were satisfactory, and no name that might have been by the owners of the herd would alter this. It was generally recognised that busk-fed calves were not nearly so good as those thathad been hand-fed.

Mr. Williams: In my exporiencc it has been just the opposite. Appellant: Well, I know a mother-fed heifer does not realise anything like the price a hand-fed heifer does.

To Captain Walker: I dare say somebody would buy the cows at the end of the season.

To tho chairman: Jle did practically no cropping on the farm. To Mr. McLaren: His wife's father was a .sheep farmer near Geraldine, but she had never lived on the farm. He did not think alio could do farm work.

To the chairman: His wife might learn to do the milking.

Mr. McLaren: I can't understand wliy a woman can't learn to milk. I know of a girl of 14 who milked. Appellant: Yes, children can milk all right. In fact, child labor was stated to have been so rampant in Taranaki that it was described as child slavery. Fred. Mills, father of the appellant, in giving evidence, said the matter of improving the standard of milkers in the district was one of vast importance to the district as a whole. He was speaking from the point of view of those engaged in the dairying industry. Mr. McLaren: You mean that your son's work is of special importance?— Yes.

Witness: A special point is that we are trying to raise the standard of dairy stock in the district, and this was a matter of very great importance,' for there was vast room for improvement. Mr. McLaren: The question which concerns you is whether breeders should be satisfied with a lesser standard of excellence?— Yes. The point is whether this lessening will have a permanent effect on the herds.

Mr. Williams: Can't you do this work? —No, I can't do it. As far as actual knowledge of the stud stock is concerned I could manage, but I couldn't do the work.

Mr. Williams: I can't understand how, if the testing was knocked off for two years, it would ruin the herd. Witness: Tho Government recognise the value of testing and employ testers. Mr. Williams: The Government run 3000 excursion trains a year. If'they appeal against testers being called, we will certainly argue the point with them. To Mr. Williams: If the boy goes to the front I will have to dispose of nearly all the herd. Another man would make a bigger failure of the herd than he would.

Captain Walker: What is the matter with you?—l suffer from rheumatism at times. For twelve years I worked harder than most men, and I realise that I am not able to work constantly now. To Captain Walker: He would not like to say that the conduct of his herd was paramount to the demands of the country at this time. That was a matter for tho.JSoard to decide. A point to consider wa§ after-war conditions, and whether stud herds should be destroyed now.

Captain Walker: People will look to you to provide an example, won't they? —I can't say. Captftin Walker: I say they would. Are you not prepared to work a bit harder and to make sacrifices in order to release' your son?—l can't work constant!).

Captain Walker: If you say that, then your, appearances are deceiving. Your age is 51, you have brought no doctor's certificate, you are apparently in robust health, and I say at once you are fit to milk 53 cows satisfactorily, and still look after a herd of stud stock. I Bay this in view of the evidence, and in view of the fact that I am the military representative and desirous of getting men for the front. It would be an excellent example to the whole of the district, in fact to the whole of the Dominion, if you would do this.

Witness: I don't regard my position as being so' important as that.

Captain Walker: Has your Society discussed the question of female labor?— No, we have taken no steps to organises yet.

Captain Walker: Doesn't the idea suggest itself as a sensible one?—An effort is being made to see what labor is availble, including female labor. He felt sure inquiry would show that all labor was fully employed. That was so in his district, at anyrate.

Captain Walker: I bet if you called for volunteers women would come forward, if there were any available, Witness: I am willing the boy should goMr. Williams: How about the women in the to*vns? Captain Walker: I have no doubt many of the women in the towns would come forward. The appeal was dismissed, leave bein™ granted until April 1. ° "A GOOD BOY." John William Richards, sheep-farmre, Moeroa, appealed on the ground of public interest and undue hardship. He had 1500 acres, 0.r.p., on which he looked after 2000 sheep and milked 35 cows. The chairman: "Good boy!" Decision was reserved sine die, and 'av pellant was orde« J to report himself monthly. J

NGAERE SETTLER'S APPEAL. William John Walsh, dairy farmer, . Finnerty Road, Ngaere (Mr. Weir), who had been called up under Clause 35, appealed on the ground of hardship. His brother was now in camp. Appellant worked a farm of 260 acres, and milked 75 cows. His father was 02 years of age, and was in a feeble state of health, and his mother, who was 50, was unable to do any farm work. Counsel produced a medical certificate showing that appellant's sister was unable to do any work. His only assistant was a lad of 17. There were 10 settlers on the road, and nine of them had lost seven men between them owing to enlistments. The others _ were men with families. The 10 families had one able-bodied man each on their farms, with the exception of two. There was an average of 30 cows milked on each of the 10 farms, and there were four machines between them. A man could milk an average of eight cows per hour. Decision was reserved sine die, the appellant to report monthly to the Group Commander. HAD PREVIOUSLY ENLISTED. George Turner, dairy farmer, liaponga (Mr. Spratt), appealed on the ground of public interest and imduo hardship. Appellant said lie farmed 125 acres, and mjlked 04 cows by machines. He had previously offered his services. To Captain Walker: At the time he enlisted he had partly arranged with Bomeono to take his place if accepted, ihis man was in the first division, and . Was also likely to be called up. At that time there were ten men available in the district, and now there \vere only two men left. The man he referred to proposed to manage his own farm and that of witness. Appellant did not thmir this man could manage the two places low, as there was not so much labor available. fafher en ° e g ' Ven bjr a PP cll ant's Decision was adjourned sine die, appellant to report himself monthly. A SON'S RESPONSIBILITY. j «ai!i r r oia D ' p amerton > Puniwhakau, said he managed his mother's farm of 800 a ii reS ' ™' P " and °' r 'P-> on which were 900 flheep, 30 cattle, and a few horses. Two brothers were about to go into camp, and another had been turned down. Appellant said he had difficulty in keeping the fern on the farm down. w»rl r '„ llh ® ms: 1 will give you some frery good advice. An uncle of mine, who was a practical farmer, learned from an old Maori chief that fern burned at Christmas was kept in check to a greater extent than fern burned in May. Mv uncle tried this, and met with invariable success. Decision was adjourned sine die, appellant to report himself monthly. TIME GRANTED. Jn th< \ C , ase of Michael O'Connor, share- , ManaiaJMr. O'Dea), appellant , asked for time in order that he mi»ht h,s , p f rt,,er - The appeal was dismissed and leave was granted until April A MOTHER'S SUPPORT. ISiaato "'

Leslie Lyfonj, farmer, Denbigh Koad, Midlurst (Mr Wright) urged that it jjould be a hardship to lu? moZ r if ho were called up. He would 'like to go into camp, but felt that his duty was to look after his mother, who was G2 years of age. Appellant said there were nine m the family. One was at the front, and another was waiting to be aLed up. Two brothers had farms of (heir own, and a brother-in-law was laboring m the district. There were 79 acres on his mother's farm. Counsel commenced to 'address the Board, and quoted the Daily tfews as having pomtcd out that the potato crop ■in England was an important factor in connection with tho winning of the war fie went on to say that the dairying "■ • i In£ ® rru P ted and pointed out that it was not usual for the counThn «h 7 Board on the facts - Tho appeal was dismissed, and leave ivas granted until April 1, MAIAEU FARMER'S POSITION' Albert Edward Fowler, farmer, Matapu, said he was married in October 1915 and had one child. He hold a leasehold of 150 acre3j whidh ~6 Mokoia T) • • i ' S W ' fe had "Stives at Mokoia. Decision, wac reserved. APPELLANT REPRIMANDED. When the appeal of Robert Charles Hurimoana, was called, Mr 1 '"twuated that the appeal had been withdrawn, and that appelhn ashed for leave until April 'I. Captain Walker said the request was a reasonable one. 4 had r i,T ea T ntionp 'l appelant r l , !, . ad «Penence in tunnelling an. nellingCorps dMired t0 J ' oitl the Tun " Major Coy sai(l j, e wou]d om d s,rc "• to,w ,o you S'J Wy):'How long are TVnV° KCCp lne abou t tore? mv im if' 1111 ' 1 < shar P ] y): Look her,., y ian, if you are not careful I will lomm.t you for contempt of court You should not use s„ch language here "a appeal was formally dismissed find leave granted until April ].. '

EXAMPLE OP 'PATRIOTISM. Cjiarlos Loivc, fanner, Kohurntahi, said e 100 l^ (1 afiel ' a fann of 300 acres for n;. mother. There wore sheep and c .itAppellant was also n.a lld gjng a farm of 4CO acres for a neighbor who was at the front. Ho was '- su ™ k '»g preparations to take enarge ° f a third farm, the owner hay! ing volunteered for active service. Appellant remarked that a great deal ! aid organisation. The Uid Boaru and the Government had done nothing, a? d the settlers were 0 " gamsmg on their own account. "I am going to try and do what I can, and 'or some timo will be d busy man I assure you. J ' 1

Decision was adjourned sine die, the appellant to report himself monthly.

APPELLANT AND TWO FARMS. Oswald James Dunlop, dairy farmer, Mere Mere (Mr Welch) asked for exemption- on the ground of undue hardship. John Dunlop, lather of appellant, said he had two farms, one of 386 acres at Mere Mere and the other of ]O-> acres, at Turuturu. There was a family of six. Two toys were at the front ono daughter was married, and ' two daughters, aged 2S and 17, were at home, appellant was married and had one m , milked 53 cows on the luruturu farm, but sold the cows and was now grazing 52 cattle, 100 ewes and 6o lambs. At Mere Mere, ten miles distant, 63 cows were milked by machine. Appellant worked this area, with what hired labor lie could get. There were SS6 ewes and lambs, 40 heifers, and 20 young horses on the farm. Witness could not carry on the Mere Mere holding without appellant, for he could not t dp the work himself and li« douatsd

whether he could replace him. Certainly one man could not do the work he •did. To Captain Walker: He required a -man and a boy on Mere Mere to do a.pgoing back ever since the-4ast son v.jho enlisted went away. Captain Walker: Could you put share milkers on at Turuturu, live at Mere Mere, and run that farm yourself with what assistance you could get?—l made Turuturu my home, and half of it is my eldest son's property. I provided that for him so that ho could have something to conic back to. My boy in his last letter pointed out that the Germans on Somes Island could have six months' start of the boys in the trenches when the war was over. Appellant was not called, and decision v/as reserved. OBJECTED TO CONSCRIPTION. Albert H. Perry, sheep and cattle farmer, Kohuratahi (Mr O'Dea) asked for six months' exemption. He worked an education lease of 732 acres, and was a partner in another lease of Gil acres. His partner owned another farm. Appellant had 1500 sheep and 400 cattle on the partnership section. He was stock agent for the Loan and Mercantile Company in the Whanganiomona, anu in this capacity was of great help to the settlers. Usually hi 3 partner and he employed four or live men to help with the improvements, but had been unable to got labor since the war. There were only pig-tracks, in the locality, and lie couldn't, give the property away at the present time. He was quite prepared to go into camp if the Govern, tnent would take the places over at valuation. A black fellow wouldn't go there. To Captain Walker: He didn't intend to give the place away (laughter). Appellant commenced excitedly to cast aspersions on the recruiting agent in the Kohuratahi district, but was promptly stopped by the chairman.' Captain Walker: la it not a fact you have been going about talking against conscription?—l don't approve of conscription, and I am not afraid to say so. lam Australian born, and I take up the Australian attitude. I don't believe in it, but (is a citizen in this country t am prepared to abide by your laws. But we should be allowed free speech. The chairman: We don't want free speech from tho witness bos. You have said too much already. Captain Walker: Haven't the people of tho district told you to hold vour tongue?— No. Do you know the police have been making enquiries concerning your statements.' I don t know. You don't know what freedom is here. You don't know the meaning of the word. Decision was reserved. •UNDER AGE. The appeal of Albert John Marshall, farm assistant, was allowed, he not being a reservist, having baen born on March 20, ISII9. SHEEP FARMER'S APPEAL Leonard Honaylield, sheep and cattle iarmcr, Patea, said he and uis lrother, who was a Second Division man, v,»:e in partnership on two farms, me ot 635 acres and the other 1013 acres. The holdings were seven miles apart. Oil the two farms were 3737 sheep and lambs, 240 mixed cattle, and 40 horses. He and his brother were assisted by a boy of 13. The land was first-class, there being no bush. Another brother, a farmer near Feilding was in the second division. There were six sisters. Two were married, three were nurses, and one lived with her mother at Patea. Appellant's partner suffered from rheumatism, and his right arm was very weak owing to an injury. Decision was reserved. APPLICATION FOR TIME. George Ludwig Frenlc, farmer, Tahoru, aged 20, asked for two months' exemption. He was occupied on 490 acres with his father, and the property carried 1000 sheep and 10 cattle. He was given leave until April 1. ; APPEALS HELD O^ER. The appeals of Robert Arthur Dyson, cheeseniaker, Okaiawa, and Ernest Howat, farmer, Douglas, were set down for the next sittings at Hawera. APPEALS DISMISSED. Tho following appeals were dismissed, for the reasons stated:—Thomas Judson, farmer, Mangatotara, Class A (no appearance) ; John Alexander Knight, Claris C2 (withdrawn); John James Sullivan, dairy farmer, Kaupokonni, Class A (no appearance); Alexander Townsend farmer, Lowgarth, Class C2 (withdrawn); Cresswell Mctherall Hawken, farmer, Hawera, Class D (dismissed); Edward Hamilton Wiley, farmer, Whangamoniona, Class D (withdrawn); Morgan Whitaker Priest, stock agent, Whangamomona (withdrawn); Michael \v. O Sullivan, farm laborer, Whenimkura, Patea, Class A (no appearance); William George Robinson, farmer, Elth'am, Class C2 (withdrawn); John Joseph Dalev, sharemilker, Inaha, Class C2 (formally withdrawn).