A DISCIPLE OF MARX.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1917, Page 5

A DISCIPLE OF MARX.

WOULD BATHER DIE THAN GO TO CAMP, A CLASS-CONSCIOUS SLAVE: Auckland, Sept. 22. "I absolutely refuse to accept the order to parade, and would rather die than go to camp." These words came as, the climax to a ease heard by the Military Board, and were spoken yesterday by Hugh R. Gray, a.farmer on the Great Barrier, who based an appeal on the ground of undue hardship. Appellant, who, both by written document and speech, proclaimed himself a Marxian disciple, described himself as "a classconscious slave at present working on : a farm." His work consisted of "any old job at all; it all depends on the pay; but under the system of Socialism based on Marxian principles he would have to do less."

Interrupting a flood of rhetoric, freely interspersed with quotations from appellant's favorite author, the chairman asked: "What are your real grounds of appeal 1 You talk so much it is difficult to follow you." Appellant replied that he was assisting Ms brother in the working of a farm of close on 2000 acres, His brother had been classed as unfit, and could not manage alone. A further emphatic statement of his convictions contained the following elaboration of his personal objections to military service: ,r ßeing one of the class-conscious proletariat, with nothing to sell but my labor and power, and knowing from study of the material conception of history the law of surplus value, and having no interests in the conquering of the world markets, I will not be involved in a war which is being waged by capitalists of different nations." Turning to the subject of religion, appellant went on to state that, in his opinion, "there was no God. save that perpetuated by capitalism for the purpose of keeping people <Vuggecl.*' Tho chairman (Mr. Burgess, S.M.): '•'Come, now, I warn you. Have you any other legitimate grounds of appeal! Are your parents living?" Appellant: Yes. > Are you supporting them?— So. They are assisting me. Tho chairman: Then what are your real grounds of appeal? —The best grounds in the world; I am looking after my own skin. Self-preservation is the first law of Nature, you know. Mr. Burgess: The Board will not think so.

"We will see about that," replied appellant, who, reverting to his Socialistic theme, asked the chairman: "Have, you ever done any hard work in your life? , "Of course I have," said Mr. Burgess., ■ Mr. Pino (anejiubor of the bd'ard)'V DC •you know you? are addressing a magistrate? '• ,| .■■•■ i..'ii </■'• ;■'■'. :-. ~:,:! Appellant: A|man is & man the world, over, magistrate or not. Haying been |varned to reply to ques; ( tions instead ojt asking' tliem,' witness gave a few ,mi)re 'details regarding his farm life. Goli work had been done on the property; $e said, and he expected to well'-witji it. : 'J''J"\'\ Mr. Elliot (a'member "of the board): : "I think you had better do away wjth it, or you may, find yourself becoming a capitalist. ■" ■: "Many a capitalist is a SoeialiaV'buji he daren't admit it," parried the appellant. ■■■■"- '•■■■ - Mr. l..„: "More the other way about." After listening to a further discussion, on religion and other points already covered, the board dismissed the appeal, and instructed Gray to proceed to camp with the October draft. Appellant, who maintained w. attitude of extreme defiance throughout, declared his fixed intention of doing nothing of the kind.