ARMY SERVICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23965, 15 May 1941, Page 10

ARMY SERVICE

CONSCIENCE CASES ALTERNATIVE WORK NEW PROVISIONS MADE [ilV TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION"] WKI,I.INGTON. Wednesday In a statement explaining amendments to the National Service Emergency Regulations, 1910, which came into force to-day the Minister of National Service, the Hon. R. Semple, stated that they deal with three important matters —control of labour for essential industries, treatment of conscientious objectors, and provision of alternative service. Amendments affecting the control of labour will, although no directions have yet been made under these regulations, enable proper provision to be made whenever required to ensure there is no undue drain of skilled labour from essential industry and to enable control of the movement of available labour by requiring employers and employees to seek workers and employment respectively through a placement officer. Classification of Objectors Under the second group of amending regulations conscientious objectors will bo classified in three groups—those whoso appeals aro allowed by appeal boards, and who may be required at the direction of the Minister of National Service to perform under civil control some alternative service; those whose appeals are dismissed conditionally on their service in the armed forces being restricted to non-combatant duties; those whose appeals are dismissed unconditionally, and who will in due course be required to perform service in the armed forces. '1 he provision of alternative service for those whose appeals are granted is at present under Government consideration. stated the Minister. In the case of those who are able to satisfy boards that they are conscientiously opposed to combatant service provision is now made requiring the military authorities to provide non-combatant duties where such direction is made. Appellants now have a legal assurance that they will not subsequently be transferred to combatant duties unless they expressly elect to do so. Provision lor Rehearings In view of the widening scope of the regulations, provision has been made in respect of conscientious appellants whose appeals have been heard and declined prior to these amendments enabling them to apply for a rehearing if such application is made within fourteen days, namely, before May 28. No good purpose, however, will be served by seeking a rehearing in cases where non-combatant duties have already been recommended by appeal boards, as this recommendation will be carried out in terms of the latest amendments. These amendments bring the position substantially into line with English provisions from which, however, they differ in the new principle of wider powers con fern* J upon the Government enabling it to define terms and conditions for the performance of alternative service. Under the ahiending regulations recognition of the right to obtain exemption from military service on the ground of conscientious objection is contingent on definite liability for alternative service under terms of material sacrifice. A further important amendment deals with alternative service as distinct from contracts of employment. Thus appeal boards as well .is manpower committees are now empowered to require applicants granted postponement of service on the ground of hardship and public interest to render service in any section of the Emergency Reserve Corps. Failure to comply will result in dismissal of the appeal or prosecution of the applicant.