"A GOOD POSITION."

Taranaki Daily News, 2 July 1917, Page 6

"A GOOD POSITION."

CAPTAIN WIALKEK'S STATUS. An appellant at the Appeal 'Board at Palmcrston North on Wednesday, a young fanner from Apiti, expressed the opinion (says the Standard) that Cap-" tain Walker, the military representative, was keeping an elderly man out of a good position, and that Captain Walker should be on active service. Captain Walker: Is that the general impression ? Witness: Yea. So you decided to ask for yourself. What is this good position I have got? —You've got a good position, and yet you are in the First 'Division. You come here and ask this question in order to mako a hero of yourself — No. I don't; and I don't want to be made a fool oif before the Board. Do you know what I am getting for this good position? —No. Mr. D. McLaren observed that there was a necessity for First Division men. When married men with families were going to the 'front, this was no place for young single men, who, as the song said, would go "when the war was nearly over." That was no good. At a later stage in the examination Captain Walker again referred to his "good position," and said.if 'he came out of it only £IIOOO to the bad be would consider himself fortunate. "I am giving my services for £3 10s per week," lie stated, addressing appellant, "and let me assure you that I enlisted at the very commencement of the war, and was turned down. I liave enlisted four times since, and notwithstanding all that, I gave up my practice as a solicitor to ta|ie up this very unpleasant job." Appellant admitted that the position was different from what he had understood. Captain Walker added that he was doing this unpleasant woUk for the sake of his country. He offered appellant £SOO if lie could get him (Captain Walker) to tlio trenches in France. He thought he iwould.be able to acquit himself as well as the appellant. Appellant: I will be pleased to have you for a mate. This closed the incident.