DEAL WITH HITLER

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 164, 13 July 1945, Page 7

DEAL WITH HITLER

REASGNING BEFORE WAR

BEEKEEPER'S OPINION

The view that reasoning with Hitler, even after he had betrayed the agreement of friendship arrived at with Mr. Chamberlain, would have achieved more in the long run was stated by John Stanley Byers, aged 32, beekeeper and leather worker, formerly of Piha, when he appeared before the No. 1 Revision Authority, Mr. A. H. Johnstone, K.C. "If it is proved ultimately that the world is a better place, I am prepared to admit I am wrong," he stated.

Questioned regarding the situation if the Japanese had proved the stronger Power in the Pacific war, witness said that those who put their faith in war would of necessity have accepted the Japanese terms if the Allies had been beaten, but it would have been only the spirit of goodwill in the conquered nation by which it could have been proved to the Japanese that they had inflicted upon that nation something that was wrong.

Byers. who based his application on religious grounds, stated that he did not belong to any religious body, but had formerly been a member of the Methodist Church. He had expressed his willingness to work in a civilian capacity in war-devastated countries.

In reply to Mr. Greenberg, Crown representative, applicant said that he did not regard his working with leather, which might be used for military boots, as being inconsistent with his opposition to war. A certain amount of every tannery's output was going to the military authorities and the remainder to the civilian markets. He did not know to what purpose his particular leather was to be put. Four witnesses gave evidence regarding applicant's attitude to war.