NOW IN CAMP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24817, 17 January 1942, Page 6

NOW IN CAMP

FORMER OBJECTORS FACING OBLIGATIONS FEW REAL DEFAULTERS Included in the latest military drafts selected from the Otago area to enter camp with overseas and territorial forces under the latest mobilisation order was a number of men who appealed against service as conscientious objectors. Before being called up they were invited to interview the military authorities, who explained their obligations to them. As a result many of them consented to enter camp, and they left with their drafts. There were notably few exceptions. The recruits concerned were men who, upon being called by ballot, appealed on conscientious grounds and had their appeals dismissed. Only one or two of them have given the military authorities any trouble; in fact, all the drafts were sent away with surprisingly few absentees. The men concerned will not be given special duties, but will undertake military training in the real sense. “It has been gratifying that most of the conscientious objectors who have come before me have not hesitated to change their minds and go to camp,’’ said the registration officer, Lieutenant H. J. Moynihan, yesterday. “Most of them appeared to regret having taken a mistaken view of their obligations in the first place.” Defaulters constitute a different problem. They create difficulties by leaving the strength of drafts' short of their full establishment. It is the usual procedure, however, that when a man does not leave with a draft to allow him a week’s latitude. If he reports for duty in that time he is excused. It is often found that a man has been absent on holiday in the country and not received his notice, and there are a hundred other reasons why men do not learn of their obligations until too late.

There have not been many defaulters, but at present there are some cases in the hands of the police for investigation. Unless the men involved offer satisfactory excuses proceedings will be taken against them.