CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23412, 20 August 1941, Page 6

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

, SERVICE IN FIRE PROTECTION

BOARD’S PROTEST Strong objection was entered by thi Christchurch Fire Board at its meeting last evening to the suggestion that . conscientious objectors* might, under recent regulations, be drafted into the Emergency Fire Service. It was decided to send a protest to “the proper quarter.” The board received a letter front the executive of the Christchurch, Emergency Fire Sejyice which read: “I am directed by the executive o! the Christchurch Emergency Fire Service to forward to you the following motion passed at its last meeting held on August 4; ‘That this meeting of the executive of the Emergency Fire Service, being a subcommittee of the Christchurch Fire Board, requests the board to enter the strongest possible protest in the proper quarters, against the proposed suggestion to draft conscientious objectors ; into the Emergency Fire Service.' It will be realised, that in the event.,' of an emergency arising, our service , would be in the 'front line,' and th# 4 position would be embarrassing, and ‘ dangerous, to have these men in • ■■ position ■where the whole service, ill ■, its work would be disrupted." Mr J. D. Carey, chairman of thf -.- committee of the Emergency Fire Ser* -: vice, said that the feeling of the com* v .s mittee was very definite. For som**time the committee and the commander.' had been building up a service to do': a particular job; it had been built up by men who had volunteered and were for family or other reasons not able to go overseas. They objected to men who were conscientious objectors being drafted into their service. It was felt that the drafting of conscientious objectors into the service would have a “disharmonious” effect. Personally, Mr Carey said, and he wanted to make it clear, he disagreed profoundly with the conscientious objector both on religious and national grounds. The service did not want them, since, its usefulness would be affected. The men were not desirous of associating with them. Time In Drilling Mr K. W. Robinson said he agreed with Mr Carey. He failed to see why the should waste time drilling these men who would be forced on them. Mr W. P. Glue asked, “Is there any intention of inflicting them on us?’’ Mr Carey said that under the regulations conscientious objectors could be forced upon the Emergency Fire Service. Mr M. J, Russell said that from the board’s and the superintendent’s point of view it would be a pity to see this type of man round the brigade’s station at all. “Weak Link In Chain” Mr Charters said: “No one who knows my views would expect me to speak less strongly than Mr Carey has done. I feel the conscientious objectors have no place in an organisation such as this. We know that as far as they are concerned when it comes to a time of national importance they’re going to be a weak link in the chain. As far as any. national emergency is concerned the fife brigade will be very definitely the front line, and therefor# it is imperative that the splendid work of the brigade and the auxiliary » npt hampered by men of the calibre of conscientious objectors. It would npt fee fair and equitable that men m such a position as the fire brigade , should hav? to place any dependence on assistahce from conscientious objectors,” It was decided unanimously that W letter and the board’s support of it be sent to the Fire Controller (Mr R. Girling Butcher) with a request that the matter be presented in th*. proper quartea.