DEFENCE QUESTIONS

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVII, Issue 142, 18 June 1913, Page 7

DEFENCE QUESTIONS

ANTI-MILITARIST ARRESTED

PEACE COUNCIL DEPUTATION.

REQUEST TO REPEAL THE ACT,

[Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, June 17. Edward Williams, a prominent antimilitarist, was arrested for failure to pay "a. fine of £5 13s, inflicted for re-«j fusing to register under the Defence Act at Lyttelton. Williams was given jan effusive send-off by friends and members of the Watersiders' Union, who sang a verse of "The Red Flag..' Mr Gr. W. Russell introduced a deputation from the National Peace Council to the Hon. Mr Allen on the subject of the Defence Act. Amongst the speakers was Mr L. * . $T Kackie, who said that the Peace Council stood for the repeal of the Defence Act. ■ Mr Allen replied that the Act was a democratic one. The principles underlying it were democracy, equality of sacrifice, and equality of opportunity. If they could indicate to him how to determine that a. youth was conscientious in his objections to military training, he would put it into the- Act to-morrow. Mr Allen added that he would wel•come any suggestions for an amendment of the Act, but he would not repeal it. . ■ ij v Asked whether parents would be allowed to visit youths who were detamed on Ripa Island, Mr Allen said that he would inquire into the matter. If the mothers would persuade their ,boys to keep the law he would allow them to visit the boys on the island ■every day.