WOMAN OBJECTOR

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21093, 13 May 1943, Page 6

WOMAN OBJECTOR

CONSCIENTIOUS GROUNDS DIRECTED TO WORK There was no regulation in existence whereby a woman could appeal on conscientious grounds, said Mr. A. M. Goulding, S.M.. in the Magistrate’s Court in Wellington, when Mary Ann Thompson, aged 22, stated to be a member of the religious organisation known as Jehovah’s Witnesses, was charged with failing to undertake employment to which she had been directed by the man-power authorities.

Senior-Sergeant Paine said defendant had been given a good deal of Ini it tide in being offered certain work, the final direction to her being to join the Post ancl Telegraph Department for clerical work in which she had had experience.

For the defendant, Mr. Kirkcaldic said she had informed him that she had made a vow, or covenant, to serve Cod all her time. To undertake secular work would break down that vow. and bring about her destruction. Since she had left college she had been engaged by the society practically the whole of her lime.

The magistrate said it was for the authorities to determine whether or not opportunity would be given for women, on the grounds of conscience, In escape the obligations placed on them. ' So far as the existing regulations were concerned, the only thing to do was to admit the charge laid. He would adopt the suggestion of counsel and convict defendant, ordering her to pay 13s costs. If the department brought a further prosecution it would be necessary to impose a penalty.