NO ADVANTAGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24141, 6 December 1941, Page 12

NO ADVANTAGE

CONSCIENCE CASES TRIBUNAL'S DECISIONS PAYMENTS TO SECURITY FUND [BY TELEGRAPH—PRESB ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Friday There have been 23 cases dealt with by the special tribunal (Mr. H. F. O'Leary, K.C.) appointed to consider the financial position and employment of conscientious objectors whoso appeals have been successful. The main purpose of the tribunal is to ensure that the financial position of an objector is no better than it would be if he* wns in the armed forces rtnd also to direct his employment in whatever avenue is considered best in the public interest. This does not necessarily mean tho transfer of an objector to some form of employment other than his present one. Tho tribunal was set up under the national regulations. Its proceedings are not open to the press or public. It has sat four times in Wellington. A statement was released by the tribunal in which it was stated that 23 appellants had been dealt with so far. In respect of seven cases no orders as to financial payments to the social security fund have been made in the meantime as the appellants' financial position at present in civil life is not tiettef than it would be as members of the armed forces. Several of the appellants are apprentices. In other cases orders for payment by appellants of varying amounts have been made ranging from 4s a week to £2 a week. In other cases orders have been made for the payment of all earnings in excess of a stipulated weekly amount. As to employment no change had been made in most of the cases it being considered that the present employment was the best the, appellant could perform in the public interest. Orders directing appellants to work in particular callings have also been made.