VIEWS REVISED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 255, 28 October 1942, Page 4

VIEWS REVISED

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR

APPEAL BOARD IMPRESSED . A case of conscientious objection impressed the No. 2 Armed Forces' Appeal Board last night because of the honesty of the student concerned. He was A. L. Odell, and he had previously made an appeal on the grounds of conscientious objection, which was dismissed. He had then served in a Field Ambulance unit for three months, after which he was released and returned to the University to continue his studies in chemistry.

Professor T. D. J. Leech, Dean of the Engineering Faculty at Auckland University, had then applied for a review of his appeal as he had only three more weeks before the completion of his studies, and he, Professor Leech, desired his services in important work concerned with the war at the University. The chairman, Mr.*l. J. Coldstine, asked Odell if he were willing to undertake the work at the University, as he had previously stated he did not believe in taking nart in any activity concerning the war. Reservist replied that although it did not fit in entirely with his views, he felt he had to be of some use in the community, and the work itself interested him. "1 can't see that going to a detention camp is useful at all," he said.

Mr. Goldstine asked him if he would agree to go into the Field Ambulance again if the board directed him, and he replied that he would, but he did not want to do combatant service. "Your views have changed somewhat then?" Mr. Goldstine commented, and reservist replied: "Yes, sir. I had to make a compromise. I still don't believe in war, but 1 want to be of some use." Mr. Goldstine reserved decision at the time, and later decided that

reservist would be giving better service in the work for which Professor Leech wanted him. "If he hadn't boon honest about saying that he had revised his views, I would have dismissed the appeal without hesitation," he saiil.