NINE APPEALS FAIL

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 118, 12 February 1941, Page 9

NINE APPEALS FAIL

Conscientious Objectors To Military Service

YESTERDAY’S HEARINGS

Thirteen appeals on the ground of conscientious objection came before the Wellington Armed Forces Appeal Board yesterday, all being in respect of territorial service. Nine were dismissed. two of them with a recommendation Hint, if possible, the appellants be posted to the medical corps. One of the nine was dismissed for lack of prosecution. Otte appeal was withdrawn. appellant being willing to enter the medical corps. Three appeals were allowed, subject to the appellants doing alternative non-military service at the direction of the Minister of National Service. Mr. W. F. Stilwell, S.M.. .Mr. I’. Coyle and Mr. A. Farlaue comprised the board, with Mr. C. O. Bell as Crown representative aud Mr. D. Roundhill secretary.

“I’m willing to do what I can iu noncombatant service or such as 1 cau do with a clear conscience," said Charles Bryant Ivory, servicer and salesman of farming machinery, a member of the Exclusive Brethren, who appealed on conscientious grounds. The appeal was allowed subject to alternative non-military service at the direction of the Minister of Internal Affairs.

The appeal of William Robert Halliburton, teacher, on the ground of conscientious objection, was dismissed for lack of prosecution. The appeal of Samuel Farmer, painter, on conscientious grounds, was dismissed. Farmer said he arrived in New Zealand iu July, 1939. He had been a member of the Peace Pledge Union in England for several years. When the cost of war was counted against the meagre chance of good coming from it, the price was too high, stated Robert George Durrant, a clerk in the Government service, whose appeal on conscientious grounds was dismissed.

Thomas Martin Stephens, accountant, who appealed on the ground of conscientious objection, said that he had been a member of the Methodist Church for 10 years and a Bible class leader for four years. He was also a church trustee and circuit steward. Since July, .1939, lie had belonged to the Peace Pledge Union. The evils of war retarded the coining of God’s kingdom. He believed it contrary to Christ's teaching.

His appeal was allowed, subject to alternative service at the direction of the Minister of National Service.

The appeal of Cyril Alexander Toomer, sheetmetal worker (Mr. A. E. Hurley) was allowed, subject to the performance of alternative non-mili-tary service at the direction of the Minister of National Service. Toomer stated that for four years he had held a deep-rooted conviction that it was wrong to engage in warfare under any circumstances. He„ belonged to the Peace Pledge Union. Leonard Robert Jenkins, draper, withdrew his appeal on the ground of conscientious objection, the board stating that it would record on his papers h'is wish to 'be posted to the medical corps. He stated he had trained for this type of work and produced certificates.

Guy McCallum, a batcher and concrete operator, and a member of the Exclusive Brethren, made a similar request, his conscientious appeal being dismissed with a recommendation that, if possible, he be posted to the medical corps. The same procedure was adopted with Gordon Campbel] Raikes, bank officer, who expressed willingness to serve in the medical corps. Gordon Edward Rushworth, chemist, appealed on conscientious grounds, stating he would not take part in war in any circumstances. He would do farm work on condition that half of what he produced went to the needy and the rest given to the present enemy at the end of the war.

His appeal was dismissed. Stuart Shaw, grocery packer, said he was opposed to taking part in war in any circumstances. He first considered his attitude toward war during the crisis of September, 1938. His appeal was on conscientious grounds. The appeal was dismissed.