REFUSAL TO SERVE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24835, 7 February 1942, Page 8

REFUSAL TO SERVE

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS DETENTION FOR DURATION One month's imprisonment and detention in a military i camp for the duration of the war was the sentence imposed on twro young men who appeared in the City Police Court yesterday, before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M., ohvcharges of "failing to report for'medical examination. Both of them had/had -appeals on- conscientious grounds:- refused;'- arid they insisted that their- religious -beliefs' would i;not. allow them Staff-sergeant Beck gave evidence that William Ernest Hanley—who" refused to plead when the charge Was read—was called in the ballot of .August 6, ; 1940, and had had two appeals against service, and one rehearing, dismissed. He was- instructed by registered letter to report at the Drill Hall, but he replied by letter ri-iusing to report. Hanley told the magistrate that he believed with all his heart and soul that Christianity and warfare were incompatable and that he had to make ■ up his mind to serve the only God he: knew. He added that he had lost his employViritnt as a library assistant because of his refusal ;-;.tp go into camp.' "He'.. was very a'ctivpi'ih' church, work. ■ i'-\ The magistrate:-.j, /shall give you one last chance. .Will 'ydugo into'camp? ■ Hanley.i'No. I'm sorry, but I cannot. ; ; i.James. Ernest Patterson adopted a similar , attitude.. Senior Sergeant Black said that Patterson' was called in trie Gazette of. May 7, 1941. He: had refused to report ': and his appeal on - conscientious grounds had been refused. : : , This defendant also told the magistrate that a Christian had to be neutral among the nations and could not take part in warfare. ■ He would defend his mother jftid sisters, but he would', not join the military machine., He. argued that; all a Christian had to do was 'to have faith v'ih'-God. '■■ '-K ■ :'. ....-.'■ ;.'•' ,■'.; ■<,-. .:.:"'.

; To both defendants, the magistrate said: "One month's imprisonment, and you are ordered to be detained in a military detention, camp, for "the duration of the War'.'' ■ ". "' '■:: ~ -'"'•. : ' ".'.•■..'.. '.