CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3333, 30 January 1918, Page 40

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS.

EXPLANATION BY MINISTER OF DEFENCE. WELLINGTON, January 23. Replying to a question, as to the treatment of conscientious objectors, the Minister of Defence said: "There were 14 men who were sent Home, like all the other troops that are sent. This is a summary of the position in regrad to'these 14 so-called conscientious objectors: Men alleging religious objection, 5; men alleging hardship or public interest, 5; men who did not appeal at all* 4. In the case of one objector, whose case has been brought specially under my notice, the man did not appeal on account of conscientious or religious objections. He appealed on account of publio interest and hardship, and his appeal was dismissed, Ihe men who were sent Home absolutely refused to obey orders during the voyage. On arrival in England they wore, dealt with exactly as other soldiers. The report I received from General Richardson was to the effect that they did not belong to ant religious sect which objectsto the bearingof arms. They were not privileged to receive special consderation. They were medically fit, and capable of undergoing training. The. latest information is that" all the conscientious objectors who have been sent to England, except two, have agreed to do their duty, either in the infantry or as stretcherbearers. In addition to the two conscientious objectors just mentioned, there were three others who had been treated like any other soldiers and have had to be tried by court-martial in France on a charge of disobedience of orders. Tho court found them guilty, and condemned them to five years' ponal servitude. General Godley, however, commuted tho sentence to two \ ears' hard labour.