C.O’s. & SUBVERSION

Grey River Argus, 18 July 1941, Page 4

C.O’s. & SUBVERSION

Greater Penalty WANTED BY FARMERS’ UNION. (P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 17. The Dominion Farmers’ Union, by a small majority, adopted to-day a remit as follows:—“That all persons refusing military service or persons convicted of making subversive statements should be denri\ ? ed of civil rights for the duration of the war and ten years thereafter.” The mover was Mr C. O. Wilkinson, of Nelson. He said that the Courts had been too lenient to these people, who were undermining the position while others were fighting overseas. Mr R. C. Clark (Auckland), said the remit was unwarranted. The principle was all right, but there seemed to be an excess of zeal. They could trust the Courts. The. conference also agreed that conscientious objectors should no compelled to do alternative service at the military rates of pay. A remit was carried that the Farmers’ Union offer its service as a consultative body to assist the Government in formulating a policy for establishing returned soldiers on the land. A remit proposing that farmers serving overseas should be compensated for any depreciation in their lan J or live stock during their absence was referred to the Executive for urgent action.