VARIED PLEAS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23997, 21 June 1941, Page 12

VARIED PLEAS

NATIONAL DEFENCE

IMPORTANCE OF SCOWS

NEED FOR ENGINEERS

The importance of maintaining scows for national sen-ire and defence, and t|,.. difficulty of obtaining certificated marine engineers were emphasised bv Mr. .J. L. Manna, general manager of ,i J. Craig, Limited, supporting his company's appeal on the grounds of undue hardship and public interest on behalf of Douglas Gordon Cameron, marine engineer, at yesterdays silling of the No. I Armed Forces Appeal Hoard. .Mr. Dyson represented the company.

Mr. .Hanna said the reservist was the engineer of a scow which was largely employed in carrying cargoes for defence works and at present it was almost impossible to obtain marine engineers. The scows could be used for loading and landing cargoes on open beaches, being Hat-bottomed and constructed for the work. In time of emergency, such as invasion, they would he invaluable for movement of men and supplies around the coast, and to adjacent harbours, rivers and inlets. It was essential to maintain crews for them and it was felt that the reservist would be fulfilling a more valuable service to the country as art engineer in the vessel than he would be in the Army. His firm had not previously appealed, but in this ca.se work of national importance would he hindered if the lirrn was deprived of reservist's services. The case was adjourned sine die. JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES ORGANISATION NOT PACIFIST "We admire him for his attitude, for other members of his sect have emphatically said they would not protect their womenfolk or anyone else in an invasion," said Mr. A. M. Samuel, a member of the No. 1 Armed Forces Appeal Board, yesterday, when TCustnoe George Jarratt. farm worker, and a Jehovah's Witness, appealed on the grounds of conscientious objection. After appellant had stated that he would be prepared to protect the womenfolk of the movement against an invader, the chairman, Mr. (.'. R. Orr Walker, S.M., said he believed appellant would do his best to prevent the country being overrun by Nazis.A member of the organisation stated that it was not pacifist and that members must fight for their brethren but not for persons belonging to other religions. The appeal was dismissed.