WAR DEFAULTERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25259, 20 July 1945, Page 9

WAR DEFAULTERS

PAROLE APPLICATIONS

FIVE MORE CASES HEARD Another five applications by men in military defaulters' camps for release on parole were heard by the No. 1 Revision Authority, Mr A. H. Johnstone, K. 0., yesterday. Three were on grounds of conscientious objections and the others on humanitarian grounds that it was wrong to take life. Mr J. L. Green berg appeared for the Crown. "1 consider 1 am justified in my views when one considers the point of view taken by modern popes," said John Thomas Magurk, a former employee of the Wellington City Council, in stating he was a practising Roman Catholic with conscientious objections to war. He contended that a number of people, including "misinformed Roman Catholics," wrongly held the belief that a man could not be a sincere Christian and a conseietious objector too. Whether a Catholic took part in war or not was a matter for his individual conscience, said the - applicant, and ho was not bound by the opinions of individual theologians. The Authority; 1 cannot recollect the present Pope making a stand on either side in this war. Can you suggest an occasion ? Applicant: The Pope has spoken on a number of occasions, hut Catholics have not followed his lead. Replying to Mr Greenberg, applicant said it was a false idea to say a Roman Catholic could not be a conscientious objector, although that view was generally held. He had formerly belonged to the Methodist Church and had become a Jehovah's Witness since entering the detention camp, stated John Mnthison Uranium (Mr A. Hall Skelton). He had three brothers in the armed forces, but had personally refused to do noncombatant service.

Application on humanitarian grounds was made by Owen Alfred Richards, a market gardener. His refusal to serve

wag not a question of physical courage, he said, as he had once swum' into the sea at Waihi Beach and saved a woman who was carried out by the back-wash. Similar grounds were the basis of an application by Graham Coward, a carpenter, who stated lie was one of four brothers all in detention, camp. His parents and the family were all members of the Christian Pacifist Society. ..lames Horace Langman, orchard labourer, stated that his conscientious objections were founded on his fellowship in the Christian Assembly, which he had joined in 1929. Decision in all cases was reserved.

MURDER CHARGE

FORTNIGHT'S REMAND POLICE COURT HEARING The preliminary hearing of the charge against Stanley Winwood McKissick Reid, aged 41, labourer and range fitter, who i.s charged with the murder of Lila Williamena Hammond, at Otahuhu on July 9, will probably commence iii the Police Court oil August 2. The public space in the Court was again crowded vesterday morning when Reid was brought before Mr K. H. Levien, S.M..

Detective-Sergeant Aplin, in asking for a remand until August 2, said that on that date the police hoped to be ready to proceed with the charge. Mr G. Skelton, who appeared for accused, said there was no objection to the remand, which was granted.

DIVORCE GRANTED The petition of Roy William Waterman (Mr Tong) for divorce from Phyllis Waterman, heard by Mr Justice Cornish yesterday, was based on proof of the respondent's adultery with Leonard Haines, who was named as corespondent. A decree nisi was granted, with custody of the children to the petitioner. the, co-respondent to pay costs.

ORDER TO RETURN An order for restitution of conjugal rights was sought by Maxwell David Tennant (Mr Grant) against Audrey Madeline Tennant before Mr Justice Cornish yesterday. An order was made i'or return within 28 days.