THE OBJECTORS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 881, 6 December 1916, Page 10

THE OBJECTORS.

CONSCIENTIOUS AND RELIGIOUS. A DIFFICULT PROBLEM. [Special to The Sun.l WELLINGTON, December 5. Among the appeals that have been received by the Defence authorities from men summoned for service in the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces are some from “conscientious” and “religious” objectors The position of these men under the Act lias still to be defined by the Military Service Boards. The clauses governing exemptions make provision for the “religious” objector, who must be prepared to undertake non-military work at the direction of the Government, but they do not cover the case of the “conscientious” objector. The experience of the military authorities in the United Kingdom suggests that it may be necessary later So provide special treatment for the men who object on conscientious grounds to bearing arms. The Defence authorities may be guided to some extent by what has taken place in connection with the compulsory service law in the United Kingdom. The conscientious objector in Great Britain is not granted exemption. He is taken into camp, compulsorily if necessary, and if he refuses, to obey orders he is likelv to have to meet a charge of insubordination. Many of these objectors have been imprisoned. But punitive measures did not solve the problem, since the conscientious objectors became simply a burden on the State, and after some delay the Central Appeal Tribunal was authorised to refer suitable cases io a Home Ollice Committee, which was authorised to provide labour of a civilian character for the men. This arrangement seems to have worked fairly well. An official report shows that six weeks ago rather mo. c than 1000 men had been dealt with by the committee, which was employing them on the cars and construction of foads, the construction of waterworks, wood-cutting and other manual labour. The pay w r as 8d a day, food, clothing, lodging and medical attendance being provided. Separation allowance was paid in suitable cases. The men were required to conform to discipline of a military character, and it appeared that they worked at least as hard as the soldiers, though they escaped the risks of active service. Some of the objectors refused to perform this alternative work. They were treated as insubordinate soldieus, and were imprisoned, with the prospect of being returned to their units when their sentences expired.