CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 February 1942, Page 8

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

otago’medical students

DUNEDIN, February 17

i The problem of “certain medical . students who have refused service not ; only in the Medical Corps but also in !the medical branch of the Emergency .Precautions Services,” was the subject jof a report by the medical faculty o : line University of Otago to the month- ! ly meeting of the council of the unii versify, and of a brief, discussion by 'members. The report, submitted by I the Dean of the Faculty (Dr. C. E. IHercus) expressed “the grave dis- [ pleasure” with which the faculty regarded the actions of these students ‘and suggested that the students holding such views should not in future be included in those selected for admission to second-year classes. When it was proposed that the question should be referred for investigation to the finance and medical committee, the chairman of the committee, (Mr. James Wallace) said the committee would require definite information of the number and names of the students who had expressed conscientious objection, or had appeared before the Manpower Committee on these grounds. The question was referred to this committee and the registrar was instructed to obtain the necessary information.

“Conscientious objectors who are not prepared to give service to humanity by working in an ambulance unit or in some other way,” said the Chancellor (Mr. W. J. Morrell), “have very little claim to be accepted into the university, particularly when there is a limitation on the number of students.” A letter from the Dunedin branch of the Fellowship of Conscientious Objectors was before the council, asking it to make its views on the question of conscientious objection to military service known to the Government and the Press. The chancellor remarked that it was not the function of the council to express opinions on such general subjects. Members of the council agreed unanimously with this view and the letter was received.