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New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23902, 28 February 1941, Page 8

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RESERVIST'S RELIEF WISH TO GO TO AMERICA appeals against service "We think this is Armageddon, an end of all things," said Clive Robert Carlson, a clerk, in supporting his appeal for exemption from military service on the ground of conscientious objection, at u sitting of the No. 1 Armed Forces Appeal Hoard yesterday. Appellant said he was a member of a sect calling itself the Israelite House of David and holding this view. Mr. C. H. Orr Walker, S.M., presided, and had associated with him Messrs. T. P. McCready and A. M. Samuel. Mr, F. J. Cox was the Crown representative. Appellant said his sect did not believe in taking life of any kind, "not even that of a fowl." They did not eat meat. Jn the Great War some of their members "went into "concentration camps and places like that" for refusing service Neutral Attitude They were not prepared to do noncombatant service, witness continued. As far as the war was concerned they were neutral. Mr. McCready: I suppose you are enjoying the present conditions in New Zealand. Appellant : No,'sir. Mr. McCready: You would like to get out? Appellant: We would like to go to our meeting house in America, but we are unable to leave the country owing to the regulations. Asked what would happen if he reached the meeting house and it was bombed, appellant replied: "We live with God. He will protect us." Mr. McCready: You believe this sect lias a special dispensation from God. Appellant: Yes. The board reserved its decision. Taking of Life Saying he could not agree to do even non-combatant work as that was just as much a part of the war machine as combatant duty, Ronald Trent Bowie, shipping clerk, aged 33, sought total exemption on the ground of conscientious objection. War, he said, was the very antithesis of Christ's teaching. When appellant stated he would not take life under any circumstances, the chairman pointed out that even the law recognised that life could be taken in certain events.

"If it was absolutely necessary," asked the chairman, "would you not take the life of a brute to prevent him front criminally assaulting your mother or your wife? Would you not feel justified in stopping him?" The Appellant: I would not kill him in the final analysis. But I would try to restrain him.

Decision was reserved. "I am a member of no sect; I really believe religion is a racket," said Albert Edward Berrow, labourer, who sought exemption from service on conscientious grounds. The chairman remarked that appellant had not yet been medically examined and asked him if there was any reason why he should not bo certified fit. Appellant: T object to being trained for the benefit of the British ruling classes. Ambulance Service The chairman said appellant had not apparently heard the question and repeated it. "No. unfortunately I will probably be found fit," appellant replied. The case was adjourned pending the medical examination. "He wants to follow in his father's footsteps; his father served in an ambulance unit in the last war," said Mr. Burt, appearing for Edgar Lionel Burton. painter, who said he objected to •taking up arms for conscientious reasons, but was prepared to do noncombatant service. He was a member of the Open Brethren. The chairman said the appeal was not quite one of conscientious objection under the regulations. Decision was reserved. RIGHTS OF CONSCIENCE VIEWS OF METHODISTS The debate on the rights of individual conscience in all matters, and with particular regard to conscientious objection to military service,- was continued at the Methodist conference yesterday. The recommendation under discussion was withdrawn,, and it was decided to reaffirm the manifesto of the 1940 conference. which' had expressed approval of Britain's entry into the war. Extracts from the manifesto included: "In this present war, conference asks that members of the Methodist Church who, for conscientious reasons, are unwilling to bear arms, should have their religious convictions respected and safeguarded, but recognises that all men should be willing to render some form of alternative service to the country iit whose privileges of citizenship they share. . . . While jealously guarding freedom of speech, conference directs that our pulpits and church organisation shall not be used as recruiting agencies nor for propaganda encouraging young men to refuse war service."