ANTI-MILITARISTS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 36, 12 February 1912, Page 8

ANTI-MILITARISTS.

REFUSAL TO TAKE THE OATH. SOME CURIOUS OBJECTIONS. Several youthß were proceeded against at the Magistrate's Court to-day lor relusing to take the oath of allegiance,, and some curious objections were given, especially in one instance, as reasons for the disregard • of the Act. Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., was on the Bench. Sub-Inspector Sheehan appealed for the police, and Lieutenant Richmond represented the Defence Department. The charge preferred against the several defendants was that on 29th January, 1912, at Wellington, being persons required by the Defence Act, 1909, to take the oath of allegiance, refused to do j so. .The first defendant called was Frederick Bradley. He said he had never refused to take the oath, but had never attended parade. The case was adjourned for a week in order to give the defendant an opportunity of complying with the Act. A plea of guilty was entered by titanley Evans. Sub-Inspector Sheehan explained that defendant had had ample opportunity of complying with the Act. Evans : Your Worship, I am not a public speaker, but I have 'written out my reasons as to why I object to take the oath. These are my reasons, handing up several sheets of paper. In the document, defendant said he believed that if every man held hi 6 (defendant's) views there would be no armies, navies, or monopolies — consequently every permhi would be free to enjoy such liberty ac, would not interfere with the liberty of' others. The reasons proceeded : — "Not being a part-owner of this country as I ought to be, I think the landlords who own the people's birthright should pay for their own defence, and do their own fighting. I can get the means of sibsistence in any other country in reiurn for my labour, and without compulsory military training. . Therefore I owe New Zealand no debt of gratitude. I am a supporter of the world-wide movement of downing tools in the event of war, and thus making war impossible. The above are my views.. I want to help to make the Act unworkable. If I am to be persecuted I- willleave this country and • become an American citizen." His Worship (after reading) : W/hat is your age? ' Defendant: Twenty. Where were you born? — In Leicestershire. v How long 'have you been in New Zea^ land? — Seven years. His Worship said he was not satisfied that reasons put forward were sufficient justification. He warned defendant he was. liable to a fine of ,£5. " You have neglected your opportunity to obey the law, and I propose to impose a fine. You will be fined 40s, with Court costs (7s). The fine wall be reducible to 5s if the oath is taken within seven days." Dofendant: Your Worship, I have no intention of paying the fine. George M*lntosh, similarly charged, pleaded guilty, and was -penalised to a iike extent. The charge alleged against anothei resister, Edward Ryaii, was withdrawn, the Sub-Inspector stating that defendant had taken the oath and attended parade. -Harman Fitzmaurice, another of the batch, pleaded not guilty. He, averred that he had taken the oath. He had not his record book with him, so the case was adjourned to permit of his producing this record book for the authorities. When the ca«e against the la«t defendant, Llewellyn Mitchell dcs Landes, was called, defendant said he did not think that it was necessary for him to take the 'oath as he suffered from varicose veins. He had a doctor's certificate to show. ■ His Worship : I have nothing to do with the question, as to whether you are/ fit or 'unfit. Lieutenant; Richmond, in the witnessbox, said that the only reason why he had anything special to say' in this case was that defendant had given reasons as to why He had not signed, which reasons were not true. His Worship : "Have you got these?" Lieutenant Richmond : Yes, sir. Every consideration was given defendant. He (witness) had written a letter to him, and Dcs Landes admitted receiving this letter. He was given further opportunity — a week — to sign after the time had expired. Then he came forward with a doctor's certificate. Defend ant had given the department consider able trouble. Questions elicited the fact that defendant had taken the oath and attended parade on the 7th., "Witness ask ed that "the Court should say something to defendant for his conduct." His Worship said he doubted whether the Court was called upon to admonish defendant because he had given the Department considerable trouble. He doubted whether he could censure defendant at this stage. He had taken the oath after proceedings were instituted. His Worship told dcs Landes that he was in exactly the same position aa the other defendants, with the exception that he had taken the oath after a considerable lapse of time. He asked defendant whether his objection was' a physical one? Defendant repeated the story as to his varicose veins, which had caused him considerable inconvenience at times. His Worship pointed out that the information against him was laid on the 3rd, so that the offence was committed on that date. He would be convicted and ordered to pay Court coats (7s). Default was fixed at twenty-four hours in gaol.