MILITARY DEFAULTER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25214, 1 May 1943, Page 4

MILITARY DEFAULTER

DISTURBANCE IN COURT CALL FOR DIVINE AID When the magistrate (Mr H. W. Bundle) imposed sentence in the City Police Court yesterday on Dudley Raymond Masefield, a traveller, aged 46. the accused, who was charged with failing to report for military service, protested loudly from the dock, called on Divine aid, and had to be forcibly removed. , , , , The accused said that he pleaded “ Not guilty—in a sense.” but admitted that he had been called up ior service and had not reported. “ I did not go into camp,” he added, “ because I have a greater service to render to my God and my country.” “Did you appeal on conscientious grounds? ” the magistrate asked. The accused replied that his appeal had been dismissed, though the matter seemed to have been deferred for about 15 months. Senior Sergeant Black said that tne accused who was now 46, was called up in November. 1940. and was classed as grade HI. but refused to take the oath. He was instructed to report to camp and failed to do so. The magistrate sentenced the accused to one month’s imprisonment, to be followed by detention in a defaulters’ camp for the duration of the W “ l j wish to explain why I didn’t go to camp." said the accused, who was ordered by the magistrate to stand down “No.” cried the accused, “I am standing by Jesus." Making further calls for Divine help, the accused was removed from the courtroom.