CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIX, Issue 220, 4 September 1929, Page 7

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

AMENDMENT OF LAW. MOTION IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wellington, Sept. 3. In the Legislative Council to-day Sir James Allen moved:— “That in the opinion of the Council, in view of the agitation for exemption from military service and training on account of conscientious objections, and as the law makes provision for objectors only on account of religious beliefs, the Government should take into consideration the present position of the law and determine whether an amendment of the law is necessary to include conscientious objectors; and, further, that in dealing with the question of alternative service consideration should be given to training for first aid, ambulance and stretcherbearer work.”

Sir James Allen contended that conscientious objectors could not rightly object to a military training syllabus consisting of instructions to train territorials to be good citizens. Certain exemptions were being allowed on account of conscience, and he thought that this would make it difficult for the Government to make provision for alternative service. There were those who sought to come within the pillars of the church as clergymen refusing to dp either military or alternative service. If they refused to do service as pastors in camps or in the field they were not the tvpe of men who were going to serve" the best interests of the Dominion. The Hon W. Earnshaw contended that the only exemption from military service should be on the ground of military unfitness. Sir Thomas Mackenzie also supported the motion, arguing that parsons and priests should be leaders in the movement of defence. The Leader of the Council, the Hon T. K. Sidey. said that alternative forms of service were at present being considered by the Government which would welcome helpful suggestions The motion was carried.