GERMAN DESCENT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 169, 19 July 1941, Page 8

GERMAN DESCENT

RESERVISTS' APPEALS

CONSCIENTIOUS GROUNDS

Appeals against territorial service on conscientious grounds were made to the No. 1 Armed Forces Appeal Board yesterday by three men whose fathers were said to be of German birth.

It was stated by Heinrich Karl Belin that his father, who had been in New Zealand for 25 years and was not naturalised, and his uncle were now interned on Somes Island. During the last war his father was also interned.

~"N ot while we are distrusted all the time and have our mail opened," said the reservist, when asked by the Crown representative Mr. F. J. Cox, whether he would like to enter camp.

Mr. E H. Wright, who spoke on behalf of the reservist, said that Belm s father and uncle were interned last Christmas.

That decision was made after a very strict inquiry before a judge of the Supreme Court," said the chairman, Mr. C. R. Orr Walker. "However, we are not going to visit the sins of the father on the son."

, In.stating that the appeal would be dismissed, the chairman pointed out that the question of nationality would be brought before the Director of National Service.

Rudolph Ernst Belin said that his case was different from his brother's as he knew more and listened over the radio.

tw b Q e i n f, P oin ted out by Mr. Cox that as the reservist was not a British subject the appeal resolved itself into a status case, the appeal referred to the Manpower Com-

"I do not feel that I could fight against my father's country," slid Herman Blumhardt. "I do not believe in war, and there is no reason why I should kill my fellow men » soeL W^,fT^ 0 + l the P e °P le you speaK about held those views," said the chairman. "Your case is reallv one of mental hardship." y The appeal was dismissed and the question of nationality will be taken up with the Director of National Service. sector of