CHRIST QUOTED

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 119, 13 February 1941, Page 5

CHRIST QUOTED

Jewish Objector “My appeal is on the grounds of my race and my firm conviction that the taking of life is strictly against my religion. I am a Jew who has followed the Jewish religion for years,” said Alfred Arthur Stockbridge, tramway conductor, who appealed on the ground of conscientious objection before' the No. -1 Armed Forces Appeal Board at Wellington yesterday. Appellant quoted the Prince of Peace, Jesus, and the Sermon on the Mount in his statement of appeal and the Commandment: "Thou shalt not kill.” He stated the Jews were God’s chosen people and he could not break this Commandment. He said the Jewish people had suffered through the ages, but their conviction never waned that they must not hit back. "The Messiah told us ’if thine enemy smite thee on one side of the face, turn thy face the other side,’ ” concluded the statement.

Appellant said he bad married on March 18, 1940. His appeal was against territorial service, lie had not been to the synagogue for 14 months; working on Saturdays prevented this, lie had not been aware of the authoritative statement that it was the duty of every Jew to defend his country. The appeal was dismissed.