MILITARY SERVICE BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 July 1917, Page 2

MILITARY SERVICE BOARD.

| HAWISRA 'SITTINGS. j The First Wellington Military fierj v ' fn Board sat in Hawera on Monday. [ Milliam Henry Scdgiuan, laborer, ; I'atwi (Mr. 'Powell) applied for two mouths' leave in order to fix up his domestic affairs. He had two brothers killed in the 'war. The Hoard reserved its decision until the iirsfc sitting in September, j .Stanley Charles Wntrhorn, fanner and shearer, Puniwhakau, appealed on the ground of religious objections. Appellant stated that he believed in Jesus and the Word, 'but he did not belong to any particular denomination. The chairman: I am afraid your objection must fail because you do not coine under the provisions of the Act. The appeal was dismissed. Thomas Bartholomew Kelliher, fanner, Eltham (Mr. Weir) appealed on the ground of public interest and undue hardship. Appellant gave evidence that he assisted his father, who was 70 rears and his mother AO years of age. -His other brothers had gone on active service, and one had been killed in France. Adjourned until the first sitting in October. Arthur Douglas Johnson, dairy farmer, Lowgarth (Mr. Weir) appealed on the ground of public interest and undue hardship. Aimellant stated that ho milked '7O cows by machine on 195 acres and 4o cows were milked by sliaremilkers on 118 acres. Ho had no assistance whatever. He had advertised for sharemilkers and received 15 applicants, 'but lie did not consider any of the applicants quite suitable; lie had also endeavored to find a suitable manager. Ho had been on the homestead farm for IS years, and had built up a first-class herd. Appr.al dismissed, leave granted until September 18. James Edward Sole, dairy farmer, Frascr road (Mr. Spratt), asked -for time in order to make some arrangement in connection with tho Native leases which he held. He was milking 40 Ci?*B, and he was desirous of leaving the herd on the 'property so as to keep up the production. He "svas keen to get into camp. The appeal was dismissed, leave granted until iSeptenvber 15. Edward James iPcp.perell, dairy farm manager. Awatuna, asked for two months' time. He said he was managing his mother's farm of 163 acres and milking 50 cows by machine. Leave granted until September 18. Captain Walker and the chairman stated that the appellant and his mother ■had shown a fine spirit, iwhich should be an examiple to others. The Moturoa 'Dairy Company. Wwcrley (Mr. O'Dea) appealed on behalf of James Bissett, cheese factory manager. J. E. Palmer, secretary of the company, said that Bissett was the sole employee in the factory, which was a one■vat concern. There were only a few suppliers—all Second 'Division men. Decision was reserved. The appeal of Leslie William Catehpole. farmer, Jnglewood (Mr. Spratt), I *as further reviewed. Mr. SpTatt remarked that the appellant had received word -that his brother had been awarded the Military Cross. Decision was reserved. The appeal of William Henry Parish (Mr. O'Dea), an application for •financial assistance, was adjourned until the first sitting in August. John Davidson, farmer, Kaipuni (Mr. O'Dea) who desired a' little time in order to make an endeavor to find a sharemilker. Leave was granted until September 19. George Leslie Prout. dairy farmer, AVaverlcy (Mr. O'Dea) appealed on the ground of public interest and undue hardship. He gave evidence that Ws only assistant was a returned soldier. He had four brothers at the front and one in camp. Decision was adjourned until the first sitting in October. ! The appeal of the Pihama Dairy Co. | (Mr. Spratt) for olio of its assistants , (T. Rejiton), iwas further considered, i Mr. Spratt said he had been informed by one of the delegates of the dairy inI dustry who recently interviewed the Goi vcrnment, that it was not the intention i of the authorities in future to call up j men engaged in essential industries such as the' dairying industry.

Mr. McLaren: The Defence Minister Ims stated, most emphatically that) it is' a question, of men first and production afterwards. The chairman: The Prime Minister has emphatically said the same thing, Further evidence in. support of tho company's appeal was given by Mr. Neil-, son, the general manager. The Board adjourned its decision until the first sitting in August. 'St. Elmo Charles Steele, farm hand, Qtakeho, who appealed on the grounds of public interest and religious objections, gave evidence that he was assisting his parent in a. share-milking contract. ITe .belong to the sect known as ''The Testimony of Jesus." The chairman: Is. it against the doctrines of that body to" fight?—lt is against the teaching of to light. If your appeal on that ground succeeds are you milling to perform noncombatant work?—No, Mr. McLaren: Do vour religious views prevent you from serving in tho ambulance? —It would prevent me serving another master; you cannot serve God and Mammon. Does not the Bible teacli you to succour the wounded and dying?—lt «lob 3 not say so. The appellant mentioned that he had a ■brother serving at the 'front. Mr. Williams: If you saw your brother lying wounded and dying, would you rescue him?—fie would not expect me to. The chairman: If. you saw two or three men come into your house and violate your mother, what would you do?—I would do as Jesus would do, forgive them. He teaches us to forgive and love our enemies. The aippcal was dismissed. Joseph James Carlcy, farm laborer, Cardiff, who appealed on the ground of undue hardship, gave evidence that he was assisting his father, '67 years of age, to milk 20 cows. Thvo orother3 were in 'France and another had been killed. The father of the appellant said if every family had done what he had clone the war would soon be over. The chairman congratulated Mr. Carley, sen., upon the fine record of his family. "The Board have the same feelings of admiration towards you. Mr. Carlcy, as it has to other families who have done so well; your family has done exceedingly well," said the chairraaa. Decision reserved xmtil December 30. Th appeal oi Timothy Stack Hickey, farmc-r, Opunake, was withdrawn. ■Captain Walker mentioned that he had received a letter from the appellant's mother, asking for three months' leave for the appellant. It was request which might be acceded to in view of the line record of the family. The appellant was the last of six boys who had gone on active service The chairman complimented the family upon their fine record, and said ■s»s'. Board had no option Init to formally dismiss the appeal. It would recommend the leave on the mother's application. Decision in tho case of James Bessitt (dairy factory company's appeal) was adjourned until the first sitting in August, and in the appeal of L. Catchpole until December 30. The appeal of Walter James Vincent, farm manager, Hurleyville, was withdrawn and formally dismissed. The appeal of John Morgan Jones, farmer, Maßahu, who did not appear, was dismissed; The appeal of Thomas Theodore Foreman, sheep farmer, was withdrawn, appellant having been boarded CB. The appeals of George Pickering (Hawera) and "Philip Arthur McDonald (Kakaramea) were further adjourned until the first sitting in August.