SERVICE OPPOSED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20570, 2 June 1941, Page 9

SERVICE OPPOSED

JEHOVAH'S WITNESS ALTERATION OF GROUNDS OVERLOOKED MARRIAGE Overlooking the fact that he was married, Kenneth Pepin, who described himself as a preacher_of the Gospel, appealed against military service on the grounds of conscientious objection before the No. 1 Armed Forces Appeal Board in Auckland. It was not until the hearing had proceeded for some time that it was discovered that appellant was married. His appeal was therefore amended to include the grounds of status and was allowed on that ground. The reservist stated that he had served in the Imperial Forces in. London during the last war. In reply to a later question by a member of the board, Mr. A. M. Samuel, he added that he had not served in France. He was in the army from June, 1918, to January, 1919. Entirely Against War “At the end of 1918 I fell ill with influenza,” continued the reservist. "My recovery was so marvellous that I consecrated my life to the service of Almighty God. My father was a Chufich of England clergyman, and I hoped to follow in his footsteps.” The reservist added that he had been unsuccessful in his preliminary studies for the ministry in New Zealand. He was now a Jehovah’s Witness. He was not a pacifist, but he was entirely against war. He did not think he was expected to fight. What other people did w r as their business, but he and others like him would be judged by their stand. Amendment of Appeal

In reply to a question by Mr. Samuel, the reservist said he considered Hitler was controlled and directed by the devil. When asked by the Crown representative, Mr. IF. Jl Cox, what he meant by saying that he not a pacifist, the reservist replied that he fought the fight of faith, but not with the arms of war.

The reservist added that he was married in 1929 and was separated in 1934 by mutual agreement. His appeal was then amended to include status, the chairman, Mr. C. R. Orr Walker, S.M., expressing surprise that he had been included in the ballot. “I do not know what it is all about, but I thank you very much, sir,” added the reservist when his appeal was allowed on the ground of status.