CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24624, 21 July 1945, Page 8

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

DIRECTION TO FARMS QUESTIONED (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON. J ul Y 2 ®' _ "In two specific farmer reservists have been mobihsea ana an attempt made by the ma authorities to replace them with con scientious objectors, said Mr LCorbett (Opposition, Egmont) m a note to a notice of a question he g Tn the House of Representatives todMr Corbett asked the Minister of National Service ' the ( . rr^ers to Lagan) if refusal by the farmers, employ conscientious objectors would prejudice the release of ?? h£»d leave without pay from the forces naa been recommended. , t “Tha A short statement was made to iney Press” afterwards by Mr Corbett. He said that in one case a f 3rm hand on a nrocertv at Lowgarth n<* a Deen calledup A conscientiousobjector wm directed to the farm at■ st ® n 4f^ d ra u®! of nav to replace the farm hand, but the farmer refused to employ him-and sold the herd of 130 cows The second case concerned a farm r at Awatuna. who was el d e rjy a nd ill health. His son was called up. appeal, supported by the Primary Producers’ Committee, was lodged, but the Army authorities refused to release the S °To replace his son, the farmer was offered a conscientious objector, ihe farmer’s wife refused to have the conscientious objector on the farm and would not allow her daughter to mix with him in any way This farmer milked 50 cows; his wife was an invalid, and his daughter, because of eczema, could not help in the milking shed. The farmer siad he would sell his herd and use the farm for grazing. "Here are two cases of young men being called up to go overseas and fight for their country being replaced in their jobs by conscientious objectors, who refuse either to fight or to do noncombatant duties,” said Mr Corbett. ANGLICAN SYNOD’S ATTITUDE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 20. The Wellington Anglican Synod today affirmed its conviction that it is the duty of all men and women of New Zealand to render the service required of them in time of war, if need be in the armed forces. In the case of conscientious objectors. while the Synpd expressed no agreement with their attitude, it supported their right to submit their claims to the revision authorities.