TO-DAY’S PROCEEDINGS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 22 April 1941, Page 6

TO-DAY’S PROCEEDINGS

TEN CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS SITTING CONCLUDED The Armed Forces Appeal Board concluded its sitting in Nelson this morning when fifteen further cases were dealt with. In addition to appeals against overseas service the Board this morning dealt with appeals against territorial service which had been lodged on the grounds of conscientious objection. In all appeals based on conscience, with the exception of a minister of religion, the Board reserved its decision. Altogether ten appeals by conscientious objectors were heard during the Board’s sitting in Nelson. The Director of National Service appealed in respect of two men employed by Messrs F. Williamson, Ltd., on work at Nelson College. These men, Thomas Alexander Jones and Henry Mann, were described by the company’s foreman, Mr Grieve, as the only two skilled steel workers employed. He asked for postponement of service for two months.

The appeals were dismissed, subject to the condition that neither was to be called for service before Ist July. Edward Albert Boraman, seaman, appealed on the grounds of public interest and undue hardship. The Anchor Shipping Company was a co-ap-pellant. Boraman said he had not been on a ship for two months. He left because of illness and was now working as a labourer on the aerodrome. He produced a medical certificate which stated that he was now fit to go to sea. Boraman said he would get a ship immediately and the appeal was adjourned to the next sitting of the Appeal Board in Nelson in two or three months’ time.

Another seamen, John Allen Bruce, appealed on the ground of public interest. He did not appear, but, after reading a written statement, the chairman announced that as appellant was at sea the appeal was to be adjourned sine die.

An appeal by Colin John Crapper, fisherman, on the grounds of public interest, was supported by Mr F. P. Walsh, secretary of the Fishermen’s Union, Wellington. Crapper said he was working with another fisherman in Tasman Bay. They supplied Nelson Fisheries, Ltd. Asked by Mr Champion whether he himself wished to serve, appellant said he did not, but he could not give any reason. He did not object to military service. To Mr Hall he said

that he had never had a land job and had been fishing for about 15 years. The appeal was dismissed. APPEAL BY MINISTER On the ground of public interest and conscientious objection Herbert Bollinsdorf Christian, minister of Religion, appealed against being called for service. He said he was an ordained minister and resident minister for the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Nelson.

The appeal was adjourned sine die. Roland Ray Gill, exchange clerk, aged 22 years, appealed against territorial and overseas service on the grounds of conscientious objection. He said he was not in employment as he had resigned from the Post and Telegraph Department. War, said appellant, was contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ. He was not a follower of any religious body because he thought the churches had failed in their duties and had become interested only in amassing wealth. War was the result of our outworn and obsolete system. He was a socialist. Appellant then read a long statement on economic development through the years. Gill said he believed there were genuine people belonging to organised religious bodies, but did not see any reason why he should tie himself to any of them. He had attended W.E.A. classes and had made a close study of economics. Asked by Mr Champion whether he had rendered any service to the State to repay the privileges he had received appellant said he had done everything he could and would do every service he could which did not involve the taking of life. He would not undertake non-combatant work in the army. If he did this, he maintained, he was aligning himself with the murder of his fellowmen. He objected to war in all its shapes and forms. To Mr Hall, Gill said he had been a member of the Peace Pledge Union for a number of years. Mr McKane asked what witness would do if the board dismissed the appeal and he was taken to camp and placed in a uniform. Appellant said he would refuse to do anything and would take any punishment to the length of giving his life. “What is the alternative when things have reached such a pass that only force can resist aggression?” asked MiHall. “I don’t believe in any attempt to resist aggression,” said Gill, who added that he would just stand by if the country were attacked. He would rather die than take life. Decision was reserved. INFLUENCE OF BOOKS ? Frederick William Brett, plasterer, appealed on the grounds of conscientious objection to territorial service. Brett said he was 30 years of age. He did not base his objection on any religious principles, doctrine or creed. “Every right thinking person agrees with- your views,* said Mr Reid, “but when you have a war what are you going to do?” Appellant said that he believed that there should be no resistance to aggression. He based his views on the fate of other countries. To Mr Reid he said that he had formed his views from books he had read which dealt with humanitarian viewpoints. He could not remember the names of any of the books or their authors. He had held his views as long as he could remember. To Mr Champion Brett said that he might be wrong in his views; oo the other hand he might be right. Circumstances and environment had brought about his views. He was only a working man and did not have much say in world affairs.

He said that he had not attended church for a number of years. He thought his parents agreed with his views. He did not believe force should ever be applied to human beings. Cross-examined by Mr Champion he said that a war of defence might be justified.

Appellant said he was not willing to serve in the medical corps or in any non-combatant service. He admitted that helping the wounded was in line with his humanitarian outlook, but said he would not serve in the medical corps because it was under the military authorities. He would be only too glad to serve outside the military forces. To Mr McKane he said he would rather have Germany or Italy rule the country than that innocent women and children should suffer. Decision was reserved. PACIFIST LITERATURE An appeal against territorial service by Norman William Cole, farmer, was also made on the grounds of conscientious objection.

Cole said he based his views on the fact that war was opposed to the teachings of Jesus Christ. He had attended the Methodist Church regularly for the past three years.

To Mr Champion appellant said his father was sympathetic towards the appeal, but his mother was definitely against it. He thought that those members of the church who had taken up arms had failed to accept the challenge and believed they were mistaken. He would not serve in the medical corps because that would mean taking a military oath.

He was a member of the Christian Pacifist Society, which he joined shortly after war was declared. He had I been introduced to the society by his j minister. His bible class leader, Mr ! Holdaway, an orchardist at Lower ; Moutere, had actually given him the; papers which admitted him to the |

society. Mr Holdaway had talked to him and handed him pacifist literature. Before that he had not thought about the matter. Asked by Mr McKane whether he would join any civil organisation he said he would be prepared to do so. Decision was reserved. A wood and coal merchant, Sidney James Walter Hockey also appealed against territorial service on the grounds of conscience. Hockey said that as a Christian he was not prepared to bear arms, but would serve in any other capacity. He was a member of the Exclusive Brethren. Decision was reserved. NON-COMBATANT SERVICE Another conscientious objector was Wallace Blair Newport, aged 30 years. He was an 'brethren, said Newport and his parents were also mem be s He was wilH r »' l to serve in an ambulance or any other non-combatant service but was opposed to the bearing of arms. Decision was reserved.

A member of the Commonwealth Covenant Church, Alan Neil Quinney. said he was prepared to serve in the medical corps, but was opposed to the bearing of arms. The Commonwealth Covenant Church had been formed about three years ago. said appellant, when it broke away from the Penticostal Church. Previously he had been a member of the Penticostal Church. Decision was reserved.

i Victor Dennis Russ said he based his objection to service on his religious belief. He was a member of the Open Brethren. His parents held the same belief. He would serve in a non com batant capacity. Decision was reserved. A signwriter, Raymond Hancock, said he was a member of a body calling themselves Christians. He was opposed to serving in the medical corps because it conflicted with his conscience. He believed he owed a duty to ’ - State but if it entailed going against God and taking life he could not do it. He would serve the country in a civilian capacity. To Mr McKane Hancock said he had not objected to paying National Securitv Tax. That was through ignorance. Decision was reserved.