CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23354, 13 June 1941, Page 8

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

CHARGES BY MR DOIDGE MANY EXCUSES “ATROCIOUS” (F.0.P.R.) WELLINGTON. June 12. The charge that hundreds of appellants coming before the Armed Forces Appeal Boards were making conscience an excuse to evade military service was made by Mr F. W. Doidge (Opposition, Tauranga) in the debate on the Imprest Supply Bill in the House to-night. Mr Doidge said he was told on most reliable authority that, in Wellington, of hundreds of appeals on conscentious grounds, anything between 60 and 70 per cent, were by young able-bodied men, employed m the civil service or as school teachers. “Those who read the newspapers,'’ Mr Doidge said, “know that many of the excuses put up are atrocious. The appellants are either liars or humbugs. Many of these fellows must be regarded as potential fifth columnists.” It was clear that the Government service was full of fuhk holes for these people, and they would have to be cleared out. Mr Doidge suggested that appeal boards should have plenary powers. They should be in a position to give immediate decisions as to whether appellants should go to the front or enter non-combatant service. In many cases the last word rested with the Government, and seemingly nothing was done. There were hundreds of these fellows in jobs with safe skins, and they would remain in that position unless something was done about it.

The Attorney-General (the Hon.' H. G. R. Mason) said that authorities had been set up to deal with the matter, and he felt very diffident about interfering with the judgments given by them. The boards heard all the evidence and, being judicial bodies, could give a decision. “Why should the Government become a super authority?” the’ Minister asked. “I think in these cases it is better to have the one authority to guard the public interest from every point of view. If these bodies are no) doing their job, it is open to the Government to institute better ones; but while there is an authority, it should be used."