DISOBEDIENT RESERVISTS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16210, 13 May 1918, Page 8

DISOBEDIENT RESERVISTS.

TWO MEN FOUND GUILTY

, A district court-martial sat at Auckland on Thursday, for the purpose of hearing charges against two conscientious objectors of disobeying the lawful commands of a superior officer to attend for medical examination.

Henry R. Urquhart, a former master at the Auckland' Technical School, who was recently released from prison after serving a sentence for publishing "Marbles and Men," when asked if ho had any objection to tho constitution of the Court, said he objected on religious grounds. Ho said he took exception to the form of oath which, the president' had taken, and added that only if the members would promise to resign rather than force a man to do that which he believed sinful, would ho willingly consent to be tried by the Court.

The objection was disallowed

Accused then objected to the typist© on tho same gnrands, and when asked to plead, refused, saying his duty was to a Higher Court. Formal evidence was given as to the act of disobedience, and accused declined to cross-examine the witnesses.

After being found guilty, accused made a long address. The sentence will be promulgated in due course.

Samuol W.- Batten was similarly charged. He said he could not object to the Court, as he was there under compulsion, and that although ho "was compelled to submit his body" it was useless to make any objection. He refused to plead, and a formal plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf.

After evidence had been given of accused refusing to attend for examination, accused refused to crossexamine witnesses or make any statement. He was fQund guilty. The sentence will be promulgated in clue course