Whaegarel Man Sentenced To Defaulters' Camp

Northern Advocate, 17 November 1941, Page 6

Whaegarel Man Sentenced To Defau lters' Camp

“The Laws of God are above the Laws of Man. I will be following the Laws of God and so am quite prepared to suffer any punishment.” said Major Lane Harvey in the Whangarei court today when he appeared to answer the charge that, being called up for service with the armed forces, he had failed to report for duty. Harvey, who pleaded not guilty, elected to give evidence on his own behalf, but would not take the oath. He said that he had appealed against service on conscientious grounds and although his appeal had been dismissed by the Armed Forces Appeal Board, this, in his opinion, did hot alter the position. Called in Medical Corps Evidence was given by Staff Sergeant D. Ross, of the army staff. Whangarei. that Harvey had failed to report for service on October 24, 1941, when called upon, while Police Sergeant R. E. McGettigan told the court that he understood that Harvey had taken up the attitude that, as a conscientious objector, he refused to give any service. Harvey had been called for service with the Medical Corps. In sentencing Harvey to confinement in a detention camp for the duration of the war. the magistrate (Mr. Raymond Ferncr) said that this was a case when a man had appealed on conscientious grounds against military service, but his appeal had not been upheld by the Armed Forces Appeal BdtUd. Cases had been brought before the court where the court was satisfied that the reservist was a slacker and the man had been sent to a common goal. This case was different, said Mr. Ferncr. Harvey was a person of good character but with religious objection to military service. After hearing sentence passed, Harvey said: "Thank you, your Worship.”