20 DEFAULTERS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 291, 13 November 1941, Page 8

20 DEFAULTERS

SENT TO DETENTION CAMP

(Press Assn.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 13 Twenty men, some of whom

already have been fined or imprisoned as military defaulters, appeared. before Air J. L. Stout, S.M., charged with failing to comply with a military order and were committed to the defaulters’ detention camp. These are the first committals made from Wellington.

The charge was that, at Trontham Cam]), being members of the Second N.Z.E.E., they failed to render service required of them in that they failed to comply with an order lawfully given to parade for the purpose of receiving clothing, or .for medical examination. The charge was laid under the National Service Emergency Regulations. Accused were Ronald James 1 rank Armstrong, Nathan Sydney Beatrix, Roy Neale Bidlakc, Clarence' Alfred Board, J.ohn Cameron, Hugh Houston Dempsey, Gordon Stuart Doig, Evan Morgan Evans, Raymond Firmston, Batrick James Jlourigan, Robert Duncan William McCallum, Kenneth Aubrey Frank Mason, llonaki Calvcrley Megget, James Olds, Harry Edgar Palmer, Bert Powell, Hiram Gartsidc Sweeney all of whom pleaded guilty; and Hugh William Kelly, John William Rogers, and John Thomas Afagurk, each of whom refused to plead. The Atagistrate to their statements said: “Tills Court does not go into the question of whether you arc a conscientious objector or not. It just goes into the question of whether you are a defaulter. Aon have had vour right of appeal.” The Magistrate added: “Von are not a conscientious objector within the meaning ol the law because you have had your appeal dismissed.” ■ ' Rogers, on saving lie felt unable to accept detention, brought the reply: “I am afraid you will have to. It is not a question of what you will accept. You have disobeyed an order and you are liable to defaulters’ detention. None of the accused was represented by counsel.