APPEALS AGAINST SERVICE

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23302, 12 April 1941, Page 12

APPEALS AGAINST SERVICE

* CONSCIENTIOUS GROUNDS Stating that he was not religious, but just happened to be artistic, Robert Sydney Gormack sought exemption from territorial service on the grounds of conscientious objection when he appeared before the Armed Forces Appeal Board on Thursday. The chairman, Mr F. F. Reid, S.M., presided, r.nd associated with him were Mr G. M. Hall and Mr A. H. McKane, Mr E. C. Champion represented the Crown. In a written statement submitted to the board, Gormack said he was an individualist, and when questiond by Mr Champion on the views expressed in his statement, he said he did not recognise any responsibility to any political ideals. He considered that his thinking had advanced beyond any organised religion, and when asked to explain this statement, said he considered organised religion unscientific and out of date. Mr Champion: In your statement you say there is only one way to stop the present carnage and that is for one side to gain a victory. What is your personal attitude to the present conflict?— I understand myself well enough to know that it is not my nature to take part. Appeallant stated in answer to further questions that he had joined the Peace Pledge Union about a month after war broke out, and that he had been secretary of the No More War Movement since November, 1940. Decision was reserved. Conscientious grounds were also advanced by Charles Humphrey Belton, a student, in an appeal against territorial service. In a written statement setting out his views, Belton said the only course he could see in the present conflict was one of non-violent resistance. He was prepared to join the International Red Cross, but not the New Zealand Red Cross Society, or he would serve in such a body as the ambulance division of the Society of Friends. Belton said he had been educated at St. Andrew’s College and was now in his fourth year at Canterbury University College. He was an adherent of the Methodist Church. To Mr McKane, appellant said he had not offered to join any emergency precautions services in the city as he was extremely busy with his studies. He added that he had gained his views from reading a number of authors; including Sir Philip Gibbs, C. E. M. Joad. and A. A. Milne, as well as from study of the Bible. Rebuke from Chairman While he was being questioned by Mr Hall, appellant had begun to crossquestion Mr Hall, when he was sharply rebuked by the chairman (Mr Reid). “You must remember that you are a very young man,” Mr Reid said, “and . you are speaking to a man many years your senior. You are not here to argue a case but to answer questions as to the sincerity of your beliefs. Speak to ' . Mr Hall with the respect which is due to him as one of your elders, and drop that tone of voice.” Decision was reserved. Ralph Gordon Savage appealed on conscientious grounds against territorial service. He said he had been a member of the Open Brethren for 12 years. He, was prepared to give noncombatant service. Decision was reserved. On the grounds of temporary medical unfitness, the appeal of Reginald Robert Turpin was adjourned since die. The following appeals were adjourned sine die:—John James Christian, steward; Frank Kilsyth Forrester, farmer; Arthur Empson Lye, lifter; Clifford Charles Crutch, fitter; Francis Michael Seales, boiler maker; Terence Joseph McDonald, iron machinist; Douglas Melville Hall, physicist; Anthony William Stuart Ritchie, house surgeon; Leonard WiHiain Blackmore, agricultural instructor. The appeals of Thomas Mathew Cullen and Thomas Francis Mitten were dismissed subject to the reservists not being called up before July 1. The appeal? of Russell George Flower was dismissed subject to his not being called up before June 1. - The appeals of Albert Thomas Edwards, Edward Pye, Arthur George Longstaffe, and Colin Galloway Green were adjourned to the next sitting of the board in Christchurch. The appeals of Jayson James Irving Hpnter and Graham Spurgeon Scott were dismissed, and that of Douglas Gordon Heffer was struck out. , In an appeal by the New Zealand Lace Web Company, Ltd., on behalf of Bruce Weston Badger, which was lodged late, the board held *t had- no jurisdiction to hear the appeal. ■ ' ■ Appeals on behalf of the following reservists were- withdrawn by leave of the board;— Gilbert John Henderson, Gordon Noel Simes, Oswald Horace James Thomas. . An appeal by Gerald Maxwell Turner, a dentist, was dismissed, the appellant stating that he was quite satisfied with this course, when he was informed that in' the event of being called to camp he would in the normal course be allotted to dental work. A further appeal by the reservists father, was dismissed.