NATURE OF E.P.S.

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 124, 19 February 1941, Page 10

NATURE OF E.P.S.

Views Of Appellant Given Before Appeal Board

ADVICE OFFERED BY CHAIRMAN "1 seriously advise'yot to go round to the City Council Chambers and ask the town clerk or some other officer what is the true nature of the E.P.S.; you will lie illuminated by what you are told.” said the chairman of the No. -1 Armed Forces Appeal Board, Mr. W. F. Stilwell. S.M.. at yesterday's sitting of the board, when an appellant expressed the view that the E.I’.S. was under military control, was part of I ho defence precautions of Wellington, and. as such, was inviting attack. Basing his appeal on conscientious grounds, tlie appellant. Gordon Howard Cole, a clerk, said: “It is better, I believe, to perish than to hate or fear.” lie considered that violence only increased unlawful acts and lie could not take part in any military or civil organization directed toward the prosecution of the war. The Crown representative, Mr. C. O. Bell, asked appellant what he was prepared to do for his country at the present time. Appellant: Are yon suggesting that I am doing nothing? The chairman : Just answer the question and do not be impertinent. Appellant: I claim that that question is not a fair one. The chairman: It is a perfectly plain, straightforward question, and one which you can answer. When Mr. Bell repeated the question, appellant said he was serving his country in a civil occupation which was useful and productive. He was also assisting the Boy Scouts. Mr. Bell: Have you joined the E.P.S. ? Appellant No. Mr. Bell: Why not? Appellant : Because it is under military control. The chairman: It is nothing of the sort. Appellant: It is part of the defence precautions of this city and as such is inviting attack. It was at this stage that the chairman suggested that appellant might seek information about the true nature of the E.P.S. The appeal, which was against territorial service, was allowed, subject to his being called upon to perform alternative non-military service at the discretion of the Minister of National Service.