SERVICE OPPOSED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20639, 20 August 1941, Page 2

SERVICE OPPOSED

CONSCIENCE CASES ANTI-MILITARIST FAMILY Saying that he was of the third generation of an inti-militarist family, Roy Darcy London Robertson, clerk, sought total exemption from war service on conscientious grounds when lu; appeared before the No. 1 Armed Forces Appeal Board in Auckland. Appellant said his father and two uncles strongly opposed military service when it was made compulsory about 30 years ago, and for their attitude had been imprisoned during the Great War, one uncle dying in Invercargill gaol. While at school, appellant said, he had refused to undergo military training. The Crown representative, Mr. F. J. Cox. commenting upon appellant’s loss of an uncle in gaol “because he would not fight for his country,” said that he knew of many people who, in the last war. had lost all their sons fighting for their country. The board allowed the appeal. Mr. A. M. Samuel remarking that there was some similarity with certain religious appeals in that appellant’s beliefs had the backing of three generations. Refused To Drill At School “Because of my conscience, I refused to do military drill at secondary school although it was normally compulsory,” said Samuel L. Oldfield university student, in supporting his conscientious objection to Territorial service. Appellant said he was a pacifist, but did not belong to any pacifist society. “He has become a vegetarian because he refuses to eat meat as that means taking life,” said appellant’s father to illustrate appellant's humanitarian principles. Witness said that he had served in the Great War but now shared his son’s views in regard to military service. The appeal was dismissed, but noncombatant service was ordered. “My mother’s family were conscientious objectors in New Zealand during the last war and my uncle served two years in prison for his attitude,” said Terence Aliely Coutanche, aged 19, chemist's assistant, whose appeal was based on conscientious objection. Appellant said he was against taking life in any circumstances . Although not a Quaker, appellant said, he had association with members of this sect and had attended the Friends School at Wanganui. After hearing corroborative evidence the board allowed the appeal.