THE EXEMPTION QUESTION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 11 May 1918, Page 4

THE EXEMPTION QUESTION.

AND RELIGIOUS OBJECTORS

NO UNFAIR BUSINESS ADVANTAGES.

STATEMENT BY~SIR JAMES ALLEN.

A Second Division League deputation to the Hon. T. M. Wilford last wf^ in Auckland laid some stress on what they^ argued was the unfair advantage which some men who were exempted from military service, often on religious grounds, obtained over their business competitors who loyally refrained from appealing (says the nil -x. he deputation urged that under the existing circumstances, while the soldier had to sacrifice all his business prospects, the exempted man actually profited, and instances were quoted oi men recently exempted who would benefit at the expense of men attending the deputation.

This aspect was placed before Sir James Allen, and he emphatically denied that men so exempted would benent at the expense of the men who go ? Way;«*i. I am.afraid>" said the Minister, that it is impossible to avoid all cases of hardship in the matter of exemptions. If is a matter for the Military Service Boards, which are judicial bodies not influenced by the Minister or anybody else, and their i an% f, to determine equitably and impartially, and so far as I know they carry out their duty to the strict letter. A great many people think they > Know all about the cases and the reasons for exemptions, but they cannot know and therefore their judgment be entirely wrong. Wherever I I nave examined into cases I have generally found that the Military Service ! Hoard had ample evidence to "justify its action, and where there has not 'been sufficient evidence the Board has always been ready to re-hear the case " t '<The,V, eligious objector," added Sir James Allen *«i 5 taken away from liis industry. If his appeal is granted because of religious objections he. has got to go and work for the State under the Agricultural Department. He cannot remain in his billet or business either end tne suggestion that a religious or conscientious objector to military service can get exemption and scood up another man's b"sinp*s is untrue There are a number of religious objectors at the Weraroa State Farm and other institutions now, while no appeal at all is allowed on the grounds of conscientious objection. The conscientious objector is given the choice of taking up ambulance work, and if he refuse? £ Il tried b-v court-martial, and several oi them have been committed to gaol tor terms up to two years.