MILITARY SERVICE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 19 April 1928, Page 9

MILITARY SERVICE

EXEMPTION ASKED FOR

FIVE CASES- HEARD AT AUCKLAND.

(BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION.) AUCKLAND*, April IS Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., at the Police Cburt this afternoon refused to g-an! exemption from military training to A. M. Richards, L. Usher, William E. Byrt and Alexander Miller, fpur young men whose applications have caused oreat public controversy. . ' Three of the applicants are studying for the Presbyterian Ministry. Mr. Cocker', who appeared for the applicants, said it would not be possible to (rive an undertaking that they wonk. do 'work in the Scout movement. The questions of substituted service was outside the jurisdiction of the Court, and the question at issue was, exemption or non-exemption. The Magistrate said he could understand the- attitude of men -who refused to do things for conscientious reasons, and vet offered to do another which would not. conflict with their conscience. He refused tlie applications on the ground that lie was not satisfied as to the bona tides of the applicants. They must attend the next drill,” he added. Mr. Cocker : “Remember, sir, there are men who hold a principle dearer than their liberty.” Holding that war was contrary to Jus beliefs, John Frederick Porter, a youthful member ol the Oiristadelphian Church, also applied for exemption. Captain Wales, representing the- Defence Department, said there was no objection in his case. The applicant had .stated that he was prepared to do other work in lion of service, and that was all that, was asked of the other four. Exemption was granted to lorter.