THE "CONCHIES."

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16118, 24 January 1918, Page 6

THE "CONCHIES."

TREATMENT OF NEW ZEALANDERS. STATEMENT BY DEFENCE MINISTER. (PKESS ASSOCIATION' TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON. January '23. Replying to a question as to tho treatment of conscientious objectors, the Minister of IXuence said: — "Fourteen men were sent Home, like all other troops are >eui. 'li.ij is a summary if tLo position in regard to thc.se iourieen so-called conscientious uljcctors: — .Men alleging religious objection o .Uen alleging harusnm or public interest ... "... ... 0 Men who did not appeal at all ... -A "In the case of one objector, whoso case has boon brought specially under my notice, the mail did not appeal on account of conscientious or religious objections; ho appealed oa account of puttie interest and hardship, and It's appeal was dismissed. "J he men who wore sent Home' absolutely ret used to obey orders during tho voyage. On their ariival in t.ngiand t:iey were dealt with exactly as other soidieis. 'J he repoit I received from General Riciiardsun was to the 'clfect that ;i s tuey did not belong to any religious sccl. which objected to bearing anus, tncy weie not privileged to reccve special consideration, 'lnoy were medically lit and capable of undergoing training. "mo iatost iniormntion is that all tho conscientious objectois who wero sent to England, except two, havo agreed to do duty either in the infancy or as stietciiei-bearers. "In addition to the two conscientious objectors jti-,t mentioned there were three others who have been treated like any other soldiers, and havo had to be tried by court-martial in Franco on a chargo of disobedience or' orders. Tho Court found them guilty, and condemned them to live years' penal servitude. General Godley, .however, commuted tiie sentences to two years' imprisonment with hard labour."