Buddhist Exempted From Militia

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 277, 23 November 1939, Page 3

Buddhist Exempted From Militia

Harold Oliver Phillipson, a Brockworth, Gloucestershire, market gardener, is a Buddhist. He is also a conscientious objector.

Before the Tribunal at Bristol he quoted these words of Buddha:— “He who wishes to attain to the joy of living in harmony with the universe shall deceive no one, entertain no hatred for anybody and no wish to injure through anger.’’ Judge Wethered described his statement as “most interesting” and he was placed on the conscientious objectors’ register unconditionally. Phillipson said that he had been attracted by Oriental philosophy based on the teachings of Buddha for the last four years, though he had not lived in the East.

When he said he was educated at the City School, Lincoln, one of the members of the tribunal asked him: They didn’t give you any of those ideas there, did they?

“A pity they didn’t,” Phillipson Teplied.

Phillipson’s written statement amplified his objections to military service on religious, ethical and political grounds.

He said he would refuse to undertake civil work in forestry because he would be doing something he was ordered to do by the State.

To show ho did not object to the actual work, he had just taken over some land that had not been touched for years, but he objected to civilian work under the Military Training Act. The Tribunal, holding its last sitting of the present season dealt with 30 applications for exemptions, and 19 of the applicants were placed on the register of conscientious objectors unconditionally.

Eight were placed in the register conditionally that the same occupation continued for 12 months; one was placed on the register. conditionally that six months’ training was undertaken in work of national importance prescribed by the Ministry of Labour; and two were placed on the military register for non-combatant duties.