"NO REASON TO FIGHT"

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 86, 8 October 1941, Page 9

"NO REASON TO FIGHT"

TERRITORIAL SERVICE

BOARD'S DECISION

The appeal of Guy Bert Famularo, a junior storeman, was summarily dismissed by the Armed Forces Appeal Board yesterday afternoon. The appellant, who is 19 years of age, stated in cross-exam-ination that he had refused to take the oath of allegiance. Famularo said that his parents were born in Italy, but he was born in New Zealand. That did not make him British, because his flesh and blood . was as Italian as that of anyone born in Italy. He, spoke Italian, and did not see why he should fight against his own people. "Just because I was born here does not entitle me to your wars; I do not go around killing people who do me no harm," he said. "I am just as proud of being an Italian as you are of being British. Britain is fighting for her freedom and.so is Italy. Many British. around jne know that I was born here, but still call me an Italian j and say things about it to me. I have never been called a Britisher. Why should I be one now? "This is the trial the Italians have been waiting for, to see how their sons here turn out. There are plenty of people who could fight for you. This is their job, for they are British. Why should I do as much as people who have been living in England for/centuries? I have no cause to fight unless New Zealand were attacked; outside of that it is none of my business. . i . You can never turn a man against his father's people. Would you turn against yours in my position?" ' . Cross-examined by Mr. C. O. Bell, the appellant admitted that he had refused to take the oath when he was! being medically examined for the Ter- I ritorials. "Your real trouble is that, you will j be going" overseas when you are 21; that is what is worrying you more than anything else" said Mr. W. F. Stilwell, S.M. The appellant: No , ! Stating that the appeal must be dismissed, Mr. Stilwell said that the appellant had stated that he would fight in New Zealand. When he was called for overseas service he could come before the board and put up any objection he wished. On his own admissions the appeal must be dismissed, and the appellant would go in and do his Territorial training. , OTHER APPEALS. Leonard John Stevenson, clerk, appealed on conscientious grounds. -His, personal conviction was against war, he said, and he would not take noncombatant duty under the military,l though he was a member of the E.P.S A relative had been in prison during the last war on account of refusing to fight as the result of his convic tions. The appellant said that he was a member of the Elder Brethren. His father had been an eyangelist. Evidence was given by his mother and other witnesses, one of whom testified that the appellant had been a member of the Elder Brethren for some six years. The appeal was allowed. Conscientious grounds were advanced 1 by William Arnold Stephenson Wrack, public servant. He held that war to settle international disputes was incompatible with the teachings of God's word. He could feel no animosity towards, the Germans or any other nation. It was contrary to the moral and civil laws of any country to kill, and yet they were being conscripted for that purpose. He was attached to the youth organisation of the Methodist Church. He would not defend this country if it were attacked, but was willing to relieve distress and had' joined a first-aid class. He had been notified by the E.F.S. j that he would not be welcomed as a member, as any person not prepared to defend the country could I not be relied on in a time of emergency. The appeal was dismissed. The appeal of Brian Hex Mason, Customs officer, on the grounds of hardship, wag dismissed, the appellant not to be called up until December 31; the appeal of Ernest John Coker, carpenter, who was appealed for by the Director of National Service, was digmissed, but the appellant is not to be called up before October 31.