CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN THE ARMY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 27 October 1939, Page 4

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN THE ARMY

ONLY IN EXTREME CASES STATEMENT BY DEFENCE MINISTER [United Press Association) WELLINGTON, This Day. I Except for such offences as treacher- | ously assisting the enemy, or for crimes i which would in the civil law merit capital punishment, that form of punishment has been abolished in the army, according to a statement by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones. The Minister said he had received inquiries on the point from a number of organisations. “The death penalty in the army is now only inflicted in respect of serious criminal offences.” the Minister said. “It would not apply in the case of desertion and similar lesser crimes, but generally speaking it has been retained for offences such as treacherously assisting the enemy, and for a crime which in civil law would merit capital punishment. “In regard to a suggestion that a ; copy of Army Regulations be advertisi ed with all appeals for recruits, this is | considered to be unnecessary and impracticable. The majority of prospective recruits are aware of the forms of punishment in the army, but those who would hesitate to join the forces in fear of the penalties for crime are not the type that would be encouraged to enlist. NO. 1 FIELD PUNISHMENT “The civil law is not available for examination by the public in the manner suggested, and it is not apparent that any good purpose would be served by making military law so readily accessible. The Army Department would, of course, furnish details to anyone so interested as to make such inquiries. It would be impracticable for any layman not versed in military law to fully examine and understand all the legislation, rules and regulations affecting military discipline. The Manual of Military Law alone is a publication consisting of approximately 1000 pages, and it would be unreasonable to ask anyone to take an oath that he has read the Army Regulations and thoroughly understands them. “The number of offences which would merit the death penalty is now considerably less than during the Great War. It may also be of interest to state that No. 1 field punishment was abolished some years ago.*