OTHER SERVICE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 113, 15 May 1941, Page 10

OTHER SERVICE

CONSCIENCE CASES

NEW REGULATIONS

THREE GROUPS

Provision of alternative service for conscientious objectors and of the control of labour for essential industries is contained in regulations gazetted last night amending the National Service Emergency Regulations. The Minister of National Service (Mr. Semple) stated last night that the right to obtain exemption from military , service on the ground of conscientious objection was to be contingent on a definite liability to per- ; form alternative service at rates of I pay and under conditions that may constitute material sacrifice by the successful applicant. Conscientious objectors whose appeals have already been heard and dismissed are to be allowed to apply for a rehearing. Under the amending regulations, conscientious objectors will be classified into three groups as follows:— (a) Those whose appeals are allowed by appeal boards, and who may, by direction of the Minister of Service, be required to perform under civil control some alternative service upon such terms and conditions as the Minister thinks fit. (b) Those whose appeals are dismissed on condition that their service in the armed forces will be restricted to non-combatant duties. (c) Those whose appeals are dismissed unconditionally, and who will, in due course, be required to perform service in the armed forces. "In so far as those whose appeals have been allowed are concerned, provision has now been made in which they may be required to perform alternative service under civil control and subject to such terms and conditions as the Minister may from time to time decide," said Mr. Semple. "The provision of alternative service for these men is at present receiving the consideration of the Government. NON-COMBATANT DUTIES. "With regard to the second class referred to above, that is, persons who have been able to satisfy the appeal board that they are conscientiously opposed to combatant service, provision has now been made requiring the military authorities to provide noncombatant duties. Where such direction is made, appellant- now Have a legal assurance that they will not subsequently be transferred to combatant duties unless they expressly elect to do so. "A further provision relating to conscientious objectors makes it clear that, apart from special circumstances, coi'roborative evidence should be adduced at the hearing of appeals, not only as to the period during which an appellant has held his beliefs, but as to the circumstances under which he has formed such beliefs and has continued to hold them. It is provided, however, that the appeal board may accept the evidence of the appellant without corroboration. "In view of the widening of the scope of the regulations, provision has been made in respect of appellants appealing on the ground of conscientious objection, whose appeals have been heard before the making of these amendments and have not been allowed, enabling such appellants to apply for a rehearing. Application for this purpose must be made in writing and be posted or delivered to the appeal board which originally heard the appeal within 14. days of the making of these regulations, namely, before May 28, 1941. Appellants applying for a rehearing must appreciate the desirability of adducing corroborative evidence. APPEALS ALREADY HEARD. "Where a person, whose conscientious objection is to combatant service only, has already had his appeal dealt with and such appeal has been dismissed with a recommendation that he be engaged only in non-combatant duties.'no ,good purpose will be served in such circumstances in applying for a rehearing. The reason for this is that special provision has been made in the amendmentSi requiring the defence authorities to give effect to such recommendation as if ft had been a direction for non-combatant service in accordance with these amendments. "The amendments outlined above bring the position substantially into line with the English provisions. A further important amendment j to the regulations deals with the question of alternative service as distinct from contracts of employment. Appeal boards, as well as man-power committees, are now expressly authorised to require appellants whose calling up with the armed forces has been postponed on the ground of public interest or . of undue hardship to render alternative service in any section of the Emergency Reserve Corps, such as in the Emergency Fire Service, in the Emergency Precautions Scheme, or in the Home Guard. Failure to comply with such condition will result either in the dismissal of the appeal, or in the prosecution of the appellant for a breach of the regulations. "Power already exists to require persons called up for overseas service and whose calling up has been postponed to carry out training in the Territorial! Force, and appeal boards are making directions accordingly in suitable cases. Appeals which have already been ad- I journed sine die will be reviewed as opportunity offers, and, if a further adjournment is granted, a condition of alternative service imposed where it is found appropriate." CONTROL OF LABOUR. The amendments affecting the control of labour empower the Minister to specify a particular industry, and, after an industry has been specified, employers requiring labour in this particular industry, trade, or occupation, must engage such labour through the agency of* a placement officer. Similarly, workers in any industry, trade, or occupation may, if the Minister at any time so directs, be required to obtain employment therein through a placement officer. The Minister may further direct, in respect of any industry, trade, or occupation, that no employer shall, without the Minister's consent, engage any worker usually employed therein other-wise than in such industry, trade, or occupation. "No directions have yet been made under these regulations," said the Minister, "but the power will enable proper provision to be made whenever required to ensure that there is no undue drain of skilled labour from essential industry, and to enable control of the movement of available labour. It will then be possible to supply such labour for such industries and services as may be regarded as of paramount importance in the war effort."