ANTI-MILITARISTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 48, 25 February 1918, Page 4

ANTI-MILITARISTS.

THE LAW AND ITS OBSERVANCE. (By Telesraph.— Press Associatio-j.i WELLINGTON, this day. In a statement given to the Press, the Minister for Defence enters upon a lengthy vindication of the Department's treatment of anti-military men. He corrects an impression general in the public mind that all objectors are "conscientious" objectors, and points out that the only objector recognised by the law is the "religions objector," whose appeal will be allowed if he prove that on August 4, 1914. he was a member of a religious body whose doctrines declare the bearing of arms and performance of combatant service contrary to Divine revelation. After explaining and justifying the treatment of objectors sent abroad, the I Minister concludes:—"The question of the treatment of anti-militarists presents a clear-cut issue for the people of this country to consider: (a) Whether| laws solemnly and deliberately enacted I by Parliament are to be obeyed; (b) whether defiance of the law is to be permitted, and those persons who know no rule but their own inclinations are to be practically exempt from military service, while citizens and sons of citizens who recognise and obey the law are to serve and possibly suffer wounds and death in the interests of the nation. The military authoritiee are responsible for administering- the Military Service Act, and what they have done has been legally done. It ie not conceivable that the people of this country -would approve of any course permitting persons -who set the law at defiance to be absolved from the law and ibe governed by thenown inclinations. If the responsible authority ie to knuckle under to insubordination the whole fabric "of the British Empire will crumble into chaos."