NATIONAL SERVICE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24607, 15 May 1941, Page 6

NATIONAL SERVICE

REGULATIONS AMENDED CONTROL OF LABOUR POSITION OF CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 14. In a lengthy statement explaining amendments to the national service emergency regulations, 1940, which came into force to-day, the Minister of National Service, Mr R. Semple, states that they dealt with three important matters —First, the control of labour for essential industries: secondly, the treatment of conscientious objectors; and, thirdly, provision for alternative service. “Although no directions have yet been given under these regulations, the amendments affecting the control of labour will enable proper provision to be made whenever required, to ensure that there is no undue drain of skilled labour from an essential industry,” Mr Semple said, “and to enable control of the movement 'of available- labour by requiring emnloyers and employees to seek workers and employment respectively through a placement officer. Alternative Service “ Under the second group of amending regulations conscientious objectors will be classified in three groups, namely, those whose appeals are allowed by the Appeal Boards, who may be required at the direction ’of the Minister of National Service to perform under civil control some alternative service; those whose appeals are dismissed conditionally on their service in the armed forces being restricted to non-combatant duties: and those whose appeals are dismissed unconditionally and who will in due course be required to perform service in the Srmed forces. “ Provision for alternative service for those whose appeals are granted is at present under Government consideration,” the (Minister said. “In the case of those who are able to satisfy the boards that they are conscientiously opposed to combatant service, provision has now been made requiring the military authorities to provide noncombatant duties. Where such a direction is made the appellants now have a legal assurance that they will not subsequently be transferred to combatant duties, unless they expressly elect to do so. . , , “In view of the widening scope of the regulations, provision has been made in respect of conscientious appellants whose appeals have been heard and declined prior to these amendments, enabling them to apply for a rehearing if such an application is made within 14 days, namely, before May 28. No good purpose, however, will be served by seeking a rehearing in cases where non-combatant auties have already been recommended by appeal boards, as this recommendation will be carried out in terms of the latest amendments. Government’s Powers

“These amendments bring the position substantially into line with the English provisions, from which, however, they differ in the new principle of the wider powers conferred upon the Government, enabling it to define the terms and conditions for the performance of alternative service. Under the amending regulations, the recognition of the right to obtain exemption from military service on the ground of conscientious objection is contingent on a definite liability for alternative service under terms of material sacrifice. “A further important amendment deals with alternative service as distinct from contracts of employment. Thus, the appeal boards as well as the man-power committees are now empowered to require applicants who have been granted postponement of service on the ground of hardship and public interest to render service in any section of the emergency reserve corps Failure to comply will result in the dismissal of the appeal or prosecution of the applicant.”