BALLOT APPEAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23914, 14 March 1941, Page 9

BALLOT APPEAL

RELIGIOUS WORKER'S CASE "I have no conscientious scruples at all and if there was anything J could do in any connection 1 would be glad to do it." said Leslie William Rnshbrook, treasurer and lecturer at the New Zealand Bible Training Institute in appealing against military service on the ground of his work in the religious field before the No. I Armed Forces Appeal Board yesterday. He stated that an appeal against territorial service on his being called up in the first ballot had been upheld. Appellant said he had no wish to shirk his responsibilities in the war effort and he would not appeal if he did not think his work was so important. He was ready to serve in any part-time capacity, and had offered his services to the Army for eight hours a week as a clerk. He stated that he had home missionary obligations and in addition regarded bis training work at the institute as extremely important. A statement by the British Government. he said, had shown that such activities wore regarded as necessary in war time. The position of the institute was that it was an inter-denominational body, stated appellant, and. although it had applied for recognition as a theological college, no repiy had been received from the Government. However. it was recognised by the other denominational colleges. He had been on the staff of the institute for five years. Evidence was given by H. Yolland, dean of the tutorial staff at the institute. who appeared in place of the coappellant. J. 0. Sanders, that appellant was engaged in lecturing in Greek and Bible subjects. The objects of the institute were to prepare men and women for missionary service in the foreign field and religious work in the home field, while other students continued at other colleges for the ministry.

The appeal was adjourned for three months and will be reconsidered at tho first sitting after June 13.