A NOVEL OBJECTION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1012, 10 May 1917, Page 10

A NOVEL OBJECTION.

CORNDEALER'S SCRUPLES. WOULD NOT BE MEDICALLY EXAMINED. Conscientious objectors l<» military service are not infrequent visitors to the appeal tribunals in the Dominion, but one who appeared before the Second Canterbury Military Service Board this morning was found to be of a type new to the board's experience. Although Robert Daimer, a corn dealer, of Sh James's Avenue, Papanui, was insistent on liis eonscieni lions objections, he had not relied I solely on them in his appeal. Mis notice of appeal set out, also, a ground of hardship, in that lie had a wife to support, that he J;ad to help an aged, crippled, and widowed mother, and that lie had business and financial obligalions. When he appealed before the board this morning, he clasped in one hand a sheaf of manuscript. Declining to lake the oath in the usual way, he made an aflirmation, which the secretary had to raise his voice to deliver, it developing that (he appellant was hard of hearing. Tlie acting-chairman (Mr 11. J. Beswiek): Why weren't you medically examined? balmer: Well, I'm a conscientious objector. Mr Beswiek: Well, you had better gel medically examined first. It's no good our going on without that. Appellant entered an objection to being rejected or passed simply on medreal gfruinds. Asked why, he replied that, as a conscientious objector, he could not take up anything that would bring him under the Military Service Act. It was against his convictions to be medically examined. Mr Beswiek: Well, we can't help your convictions. There are certain rules and regulations to be complied with. ... If you don't submit yourself to medical examination, you will be dealt with by the military authorities. Dalmer said that he knew he was not medically lit, bat he was there as a conscientious objector. Mr Beswiek again explained to appellant the course that must be followed, pointing out that the regulation that appellants must be medically examined before their appeals were heard was intended to save time. If Dalmer were passed as til, the board would deal with the case on its merits. Appellant: I feel that it is a violation of my conscience. However, the board insisted that he must be medically examined first, and il adjourned the hearing of the appeal for that purpose.