OBJECTION TO DRILL.

Marlborough Express, Volume L, Issue 97, 26 April 1916, Page 6

OBJECTION TO DRILL.

RELIGIOUS SCRUPLE URGED

LAD REFtJSE]> EXEMPTION

«'NO CASE FOil CONSCIENCE."

jEleiigioiis scruples against war and military training were pleaded before Mr E. C. Cufcte.n,, S.M.. in the Auckland Police Court last week, -when Walter Orevva Worra.ll, aged 27, asked for exemption from mili-

•fcairv training. Sergeant-Major Dale said the applicant had attended drill in the Senior Cadets, but he objected to service in the Territorials. "Witness believed it was the lad's father who held the religious views. Applicant- described -himself as a ■Christadelphia.n.. He said lie objected to military drill because ha did not i»eliove in war. . , The Magistrate: You think it Tight to. take no part in saving your country ? ' Applicant: I beiieve there should /be no war. The Magistrate: Supposing there is war, what are yon going to do? Applicant: Nothing. The Magistrate. Do you believe you could sit back and let your . ."enemies do Avhat they wished? Applicant: Yes. The Magistrate: So long as you <csxh get someone else to deal with them, I suppose! The applicant made no reply. In answer to further questions, Ji^Worrall said he worked for his father, who was sin importer. Asked why he •attended drill" with the Senior Cadets, applicant s*<iid the training included physical as well as military

•drill. The Magistrate: Was not ihe military drill a. great shock to your

conscience?

Applicant: It was against my ■conscience.

The Magistrate: Why did you put up with it tfkMir Applicant: I thought it hardly worth while going to tho trouble of getting exemption for the short time. The Magistrate: Why is it worth while going to the trouble now? Applicant: Ucca-uso I. shall have j to go in the Territorials. Tho Magistrate: It was trouble you were worrying about, not your cvHiKcienee. Your application is loiused on the ground that you have not ma lie out your case for your conscience. It is not really your conscience if it was not worth while to protest while yon were in the Cadets. .