MORE COURT CASES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20304, 11 July 1929, Page 14

MORE COURT CASES.

EXEMPTION APPLICATIONS. ADJOURNMENT FOR MONTH. YOUTH FORMERLY KEEN ON DRILL Two applications for exemption from military training by conscientious objectors and a charge of failure to drill preferred against another conscientious objector were heard in the Magistrate s Court yesterday.

The cases were all adjourned until August 14, the next drill day in Court, as the decision of the Minister of Justice with regaid to the representations made bv the Public Questions Committee of the Presbyterian General Assembly were not then known. Tho first case was that of \\ illiani L. Bvrt, of Whangarei (Mr. Glaister), charged with failure to attend drill. Mr. Glaister said that defendant had been at the Wangarci High School, where he was verv keen on drill, and where he won a shield for shooting. Later his views changed, and he felt that ho could take no part m military training. Tho magistrate, Mr F. K Hunt, said that he would adjourn the case until lie .knew what view the Minister had taken. Willing to do Hospital Service. Counsel said that defendant was willing to do hospital work or other alternative service. "He is taking a more reasonable view than the others—ho is willing to do something," remarked the magistrate.

Counsel then asked whether defendant would have to appear personally, as if this was so he would prefer to ask for a change of venue and have the case hcafd at Whangarei. Captain J. C. G. Wales, who appeared foi the Defence Department, objected, and the magistrate said that the matter would be considered later, before the case

was taken. When Neil M. McDougall applied for exemption on religious grounds, stating that lie was a Presbyterian, the magistrate said that the case would also be adjourned, but asked, "Just out of curiosity, what, are your views? Will you do any other service ?" Defendant: If you grant me exemption [■ii religious grounds 1 will. Giving Up Civil Rights. Questioned as to whether his willingness to work depended entirely on the granting of exemption, McDougall said that ho could not definitely say whether he would or not until exemption was granted. lho third adjourned case was that of A. T. P. W Tubb. an applicant for exemption, who, Ills father stated, was n member of the International Bible Students. The father added that he himself had been a conscientious objector during the war. The boy was willing to do any hospital service,"and would be prepared to give up his civil rights rather than drill. "We do not want to take bis rights I away," said the magistrate. "My_ only ! test of »iq bona-fides of these applicants is to sco whether they will do any other work. M Three Other Prosecutions. ! Several other military cases were also i dealt with. | . Stated to have evaded drill for fivo years, A. Ifowley, who was charged with failure to drill and failure to register, was fined £2 on the first charge and iO.i on j the second. E. It\ Wilson, a married man with one child, was fined 10s for not notifying his change of address. The return of equipment, or payment : of the value, £5 4s 4d, was ordered in the case of W. G. Johnston, who hail j neglected to return his uniform and other j military property.