APPEAL ALLOWED

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 124, 19 February 1941, Page 9

APPEAL ALLOWED

Member Of Religious Body With No Specific Name

Described by his counsel as being a member of a religious organization which had no specific name except that of Christians, an appellant against military service told the No. -1 Armed Forces Appeal Board yesterday that, while he was opposed to any form of organization having to do with the destruction of human life, he was prepared to do any work under a civil authority, such as assisting in the production of foodstuffs and like essentials. The appellant was Leslie John Mills, a missionary.

His appeal was supported by Ralph Beatty, an ordained minister in appellant’s religious organization. Under the rules of that organization, said Beatty, all members gave up their worldly possessions before joining up.

“I saw one man with. £lOOO in his hand,” he added. “He gave it all away, and that was only half of it.” The organization had members in practically every country in Hie world, continued Beatty, aud the New Zealand membership numbered about 3000, with 40 ordained ministers. So far as he knew, most members were conscientious objectors, but in the last war the majority of appeals against war service did uot succeed.

To the Crown representative, Mr. C. O. Bell, appellant said that he could not join any military organization whose purpose was the saving of life, such as an ambulance unit..

His appeal was allowed, subject to his being called upon to undertake alternative uon-military service ut the discretion of the Minister of National Service.