CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 October 1939, Page 3

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

MAN WITH A GRUDGE. LONDON. August 22. Contending that the State played “a. dirty trick” in refusing his warwidowed mother a pension, John Jones, a motor mechanic, of Trefore: I. Chun, told the South Wales tribuna, at Cardiff yesterday that he refused io join the militia dr do any national service. The tribunal, over which Judge Frank Davies presided, decided th.-’ lie should be registered without a tidit.ioii in the list of conscientious objectors. ‘‘.My father lost his life in the v.ar to end war,” said Jones. "Why should 1 start where he left off, and set the. war machine going again?" Judge Davies: Are you willing to do civilian work?—No. The State was not willing to help me and my mother when wo wanted help, and so 1 will not help the State‘now. He added that he bad no rcliyioim objections. A member of ihe tribunal asked him whether it was not a grudge or rc-.cn’-inenl against Hie State, rattier than a conscientious objection, which made him oppose service. ‘‘This grudge plays on your conscience whenever you think about it.’ ho retorted.

! Denver Jones. 20. a colliery labotir- ’ er,' on Tonyrel'ail, who described himjself as. a child of God. was exempted i from any form of national service. J l|o slated, that be was a member ; r f |]>e f‘..'))tccostal Full Gospel Mission. ami added: “if I am io be made Isiihjoci io ihe Stale 1 cannot remain i subject to the will of God." ! A member of the tribunal asked I whether this attitude was compatible j wih acceping sickness assurance from ihe State. i "Yes. but ' pay tor that." Denver I Jones replied. I Asked whether he appreciated that he had certain duties to his fellow citizens, and that, there was nothing wrong in being a. good citizen, tie reipealed that in no circninstances would »he assist in national service.