CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16896, 8 July 1918, Page 4

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS.

MINISTER SUPPORTS LAW,

[NT TELEGRAPH.— CORRESPONDENT.]

WELLINGTON, Sunday. I Replying to a deputation from the Federation of Labour regarding conscientious objectors, Sir James Allen referred first to tho Wangamii inquiry. When ho first heard about it a Departmental inquiry was asked for, and it seemed to him it was necessary to also have a medical inquiry. Both were held, and each was satisfactory.- A Mr. Badger, whoso brother was among the conscientious objectors at Wanganui, had told him that the story about men having ropes round their necks was totally untrue. The Minister said he believed there was a good deal of exaggeration, and an attempt to influence the public mind. He was not there to have tho public mind influenced. Ho believed the truth would be ascertained by a -man of judgment like a magistrate. having a perfectly free hand in the holding of an inquiry. He did not see how a public inquiry could be held. The magistrate could see the men privately, and take their statements to the very fullest. The magistrate had been instructed to employ counsel on behalf of tho men whenever, he thought it.necessary. His report would bo made public. As to those men who had gone to the' front, Sir James said there had been a good deal of exaggeration. He could see no good reason why these men should bo brought back, because? if they were brought back, it would be an obvious admission that the Government was weak, and that it was practically giving way to I pressure when it did not think pressure I was justifiable

When legislation was going through, the Minister said, he' attempted to make somo provision dealing with conscientious objectors, but Parliament made the legislation more severe than he bad suggested. He wanted to carry out the law as Parliament made it, and" tho more ho saw of it now the more must ho confess that the judgment of Parliament bad a good deal to justify Jfc: He knew men who, on the plea of conscience, wero shirking their duty. They were deliberate and defiant objectors.