ARMY APPEALS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23995, 19 June 1941, Page 10

ARMY APPEALS

CONSCIENCE CASES

PACIFIST SOLICITOR

PREPARED TO LIVE IN ENGLAND The statement that lie was prepared to provide his own passage mdney, to subject himself to the danger of the warfare being waged on tho civilian population of England as a member of the civilian service scheme available for conscientious objectors in Great Britain was made by John Leslie Charters, solicitor (Mr. ilogben), before the No. I Armed Forces Appeal Board yesterday, in appealing against military service on the ground of conscientious objection. In his statement appellant said he was born in Liverpool and gained the degree of Master of Law at Victoria University College, Wellington. He was now employed in the Public Trust of lice. He believed there was no greater evil than war and no greater harm than taking part in it. He was not a member of any Christian organisation and he had held his views for many years. In objecting to military service in any form he stated he could see no distinction between combatant and noncombatant duties as all duties in the Army wore designed lor one end only, tho prosecution of war, appellant said. He was fully prepared to fulfil any useful purpose or to perform any useful service to the State. To Mr. F. J. Cox, representing tho Crown, appellant said he believed that any country invaded should not resist. Non-co-operation and passive resistance would load to the desired result. "Not a Patriot" Asked bv Mr. T. P. MeCready, a ini'inber ol tho board, if be was not | worried about the result of the war ap- ■ pellant s;ii<l he did not think the result ; would alfeei humanity as a whole. | There would be wars until people re--1 used tn light. Mr. Cox: Do you, as a British subject, say it matters little to you if the Nazi object of domination of the world is achieved, if Germany takes charge of this countryP Appellant: It might cause me per- | sonal inconvenience and 1 might suffer. I am not a patriot. R. I. Fulton, a teacher of the Seddon Memorial Technical College, who said he was tho holder of an Army commission, stated' that appellant had held completely pacifist views for a considerable time. Similar evidence was also given by affidavits from witnesses in Nelson and Wellington. The board reserved its decision. Sooner Lose Own Life David Franks, marine dealer (Mr. Hunt), appealed on the ground of conscientious objection. lo Mr. Cox, appellant said he would not resort to killing in any circumstances whatever. He \\7>llld rather lose his own life than take somebody else's. "I would fight for nobody," said appellant to Mr. Samuel. Mr. C. I!. Orr Walker, chairman of the board, asked what appellant would do if the Germans came to New Zealand; would he fight J 1 , Appellant: No. I would have the freedom of my beliefs. The appeal was dismissed, the chairman remarking that there was no corroborative evidence and the board was not satisfied. "War is a murdering and money-mak-ing racket." said Rarrie Alfred Evans, carpenter, aged 22. appealing on the grounds of conscientious objection. Fie continued that bo held Communistic views. He agreed with the chairman that be had' refused to be medically examined for territorial service. Mr. Cox asked him if he had ever written a letter to bis father in which he said the military authorities would have difficulty in getting him into uniform Appellant: I cannot remember. Extracts from Letter Mr. Cox: Have you written to your father anything about Communistic activities in the United States Appellant: L may have. Mr. Cox read a letter which lie said was written bv appellant to his father on May 15. hi this, said* Mr. Cox, was the following:—"The military hoboes have not sent me any word. As long | as I am out of khaki I am all right. If these military bunglers try to put: me in I will immediately evaporate to fresh pastures." Appellant: Does this letter have to be read out. The chairman said Mr. Cox was entitled to test the reliability of appellant's statements. Mr. Cox said the letter continued: "f see the Reds aro getting to work in the United States. It is time to strike now." The appeal was dismissed.