APPEALS HEARD

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 41, 18 February 1941, Page 9

APPEALS HEARD

MILITARY SERVICE

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

SOME DISMISSED

JSight appeals against military service were heard by the Armed Forces Appeal Board this morning. All the appeals were brought on conscientious grounds.

Alan William Cooper, a teacher, said that his appeal was based on humanitarian and moral grounds. He believed that war could only beget more ■wars and the only alternative to more wars was non-violent resistance. He produced letters from Mr. F. C. Lopdell, principal of the Wellington Teachers' Training College, and Mr. C. H. Taylor, of Hataitai, testifying to his sincerity, but the latter added that he did not agree at all with the appellant's views. The appeal was allowed, but alternative service was recommended. Charles" Francis - Cooper, a watersider, said he was a Jehovah's Witness and- that sect was exempted in Britain. The appeal was dismissed. Colin Dodsworth Clark, electrical engineering cadet, said he had become a: member of the Christian Pacifist Society in June, 1939, but had held pacifist views for at least a year before that. He was not prepared to do anything under military control. To Mr. C. O. Bell, the Crown representative, he said he would not help the Public Works Department to erect military camps. ,He was in the hydroelectric branch of the Department, which, supplied electric power for the comfort and convenience of the people. Mr. Bell: And for military camps. 1 The chairman, Mr. W. F. Stilwell, S.M.: And for operating Fort Dorset If you claim to be a thinker you should think all the way. The appeal was dismissed. "IMPROVING THE' CHURCH." Charles Stanley Cooper, a publisher's assistant,; also appealed on religious grounds but said that~he could not turn to the churches for true Christianity because they were "long subservient to a dishonourable State." He had been a member of the Christian Pacifist Society for three months and had been a member of the Methodist Church for three years. He did not wholly approve of that church, but thought that he could help to improve it by being a member. The appeal was dismissed. Leslie John Mills, a missionary, was described by his counsel as an ordained minister of a body of Christians who had "no churches and no name as a denomination. Ralph Beattyi another minister, said the body in which he and the appellant were . preachers, abided by the New Testament and consequently simply Called themselves. Christians. They were opposed to military service and during-■the last war those who were called for service went to prison. They were not licensed to perform marriages because they believed that marriage was a civil contract, as it had been for 1000 years after Christ. The appeal was allowed but alternative service was recommended. ,!' Edward William Cole, a clerk, said he was a member of the Christian Pacifist Society, having joined a year ago. The Rev. E. E. Sage, a Methodist minister,, said that Cole was sincere in his views towards" war. He held similar views. The appeal was allowed, alternative. service being. recommended. Cour de la Cour, a radio apprentice, appealing' on religious grounds, said that Christians should not resort toviolence but should .divert the money spent on war to helping those who "were on the other side. He was a member of the Methodist Church and of the Christian Pacifist Society. The appeal was dismissed. , Gordon Howard Cole, a clerk, also appealed on religious grounds and said that he was a member of the Methodist Church and a convinced pacifist. The appeal was allowed,, alternative service being recommended.