WAR AND CONSCIENCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24132, 26 November 1941, Page 8

WAR AND CONSCIENCE

MAGISTRATE'S VIEWS ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS (0.C.) _ HAMILTON, Tuesday "My idea of a man with a conscience is one who answers questions plainly and simply and does not try to evade them," said the chairman of the No. 2 Armed Forces Appeal Board, Mr. S. L. Paterson, S.M., during the hearing of an appeal against military service by George Arthur Morris, grocer's assistant, of Clauclelands. The Reservist: I did not try to evade questions. Mr. Paterson: I suggest you did. The reservist stated that he did not attend any place of worship on Sundays and was not a member of any denomination. He refused to serve under military control. He had been brought up to these views by his father and grandfather. His father had been connected with the Society of Friends, and was at one time a secretary of the society. When the father of the reservist, George M. Morris, _ grocer, of Claudelands, who gave evidence in support of his son's appeal, refused to answer a question put by the Crown Prosecutor, Mr. D. Seymour, Mr. Paterson stated that to his* way of thinking witness did not have a conscience if he did not face up to the questions fairly and squarely. Witness said he did not agree with the use of force at all, and considered that police violence was wrong. He admitted that he had availed himself of the service of the bailiff to_ collect overdue accounts. He also admitted keeping an army reserve supply of petrol, but denied that lie was entitled to charge an extra penny a gallon because of the storing of the reserve supply. Tho appeal was allowed.