MOTHER’S BUCKET

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20603, 3 November 1941, Page 2

MOTHER’S BUCKET

CAUSE OF APPEAL TWO APPLICATIONS FAIL CONTEMPT FOR HEROES “You say in your statement that wars are crimes legalised, the opportunity for a natural criminal to become a hero—would you say that winners of decorations in this war are criminals?” asked Mr. A. A Samuel, a member of the No. 1 Armed Forces Appeal Board, in Auckland, when Stuart Charles Casley sought exemption from military service on conscieutious grounds. “More or less they are," replied appellant. Mr. Samuel: You ought to go to the Returned Soldiers' Association and say that. What do you think would happen?

Appellant: I suppose their brutality and criminality would come out. They are not all like that. I would not say men who got decorations for saving lives are criminals, but those who are honoured for killings are different. Work Under a German

Appellant said he realised he had obligations to the community, but be considered his obligations to humanity were greater. Politicians who had to balance on the fence and keep one ear to the ground could perform complicated contortional feats, but he held to the beliefs he had maintained since boyhood. In reply to questions appellant said he thought the working class would lose very little if the Germans conquered New Zealand. He would just as soon work under a German. He would not feel just the same under a Japanese, but under any conqueror the workers- would eventually reassert their rights by peaceful means as in the past. The appeal was dismissed. Territorial Experience “It’s a racket from start to finish.” declared William Charles Boyes in support of his appeal on conscientious grounds, “I’ll give you an example. My mother had a nearly new galvanised iron bucket. The handle came apart and she took it to shop after shop and no one would mend it. so she had to buy a new bucket. These are the sort of people we are expected to go and fight for.”

Mr. Samuel; So because no one would mend your mother’s bucket you won’t go to the war. Appellant said he had spent three months in a Territorial camp and had learned nothing. The appeal was dismissed.