NO ALTERNATIVE

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 117, 11 February 1941, Page 8

NO ALTERNATIVE

Objector’s View Of Action

By Germany

An appellant who considered that Germany had no alternative but to have recourse to force appealed against Territorial service before the No. 4 Armed Forces Appeal Board in Wellington yesterday and had his appeal, which was on conscientious grounds, dismissed. He was Rex Verdun Boyes, clerk, who read a statement of 12 typed foolscap pages, including the full text of the Ten Commandments, in support of his case. Boyes said no police would be needed if these were observed. Christ’s teachings were against the use of force in any circumstances and He preached non-resistance whatever the result. Boyes said his religion was not confined to the creeds of any one church, but he had followed Christianity and in the past had been connected with two Presbyterian and two Methodist churches and the Salvation Army. It was his wish that everybody should refuse to participate should another war arise and the attitude toward this war would hasten that change. He could see no moral difference between killing in peace and in war.

Britain dominated a large empire with great resources, won by the blood of soldiers, sailors and pioneers. Germany was confined to her boundaries and vastly limited as to overseas trade: she wished to expand ami share in the world's wealth. In his opinion no one would concede her any benefits and she hail no alternative but recourse to force. Boyes said he had ceased to go to church on Sundays. Mr. Bell: Is it a bit of a fag?—One has faith and communion with Jesus Christ throughout life. One does not get up on a Sunday morning and have a set hour for religious observance like a piano exercise. The appeal was dismissed.