DIRECTED TO PAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 42, 18 August 1942, Page 3

DIRECTED TO PAY

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

Application of the National Service Emergency Regulations covering the financial' position of conscientious objectors to military service is being made in the Wellington district. In 139 cases already' dealt with by the Wellington district tribunal (Mr H F O'Leary. K.C.) objectors are required to make weekly payments to the Social Security Fund of amounts ranging from 2s 6d to £4.

That action has been taken to ensure that the financial position of objectors is, no better than it would be if they were serving with the armed forces. The Wellington provincial area extends to Taranaki and Hawke's Bay. In examining the objectors' financial positions, consideration is'given to the pay. allowances, and free services received by members of the forces, and the occu'oationa] skill and training of the appellant, to determine whether he should be permitted to remain -in his present employment or transferred where he'can give better service, As a general rule, an appellant is left in his existing position if the work is useful and his employer is prepared to retain him. Military pay and allowances are estimated for this purpose at £4 a week for a single man, with an additional allowance for wife and family. Reviews of the amounts of the weekly payments have been granted in several cases recently where objectors have appealed on the grounds of increased taxation, to which members of the armed forces are not subject. In only two cases have the authorities been forced to institute legal proceedings to enforce the decisions of the tribunal.

Most of the cases have been heard this year, 87 of them being in Wellington, seven in Napier, four in Wanganui, and two. in Palmerston North. Several Hindus were before the tribunal last- week.