EXEMPTION FROM DRILL

Taranaki Daily News, 13 July 1929, Page 15

EXEMPTION FROM DRILL

CONSIDERATION BY CABINET LABOUR DEPUTATION TO PREMIER '■BOYS’ RELIGIOUS VIEWS IGNORED’ By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, July 12, A definite promise that tire whole case of the divinity students, Richards and Miller, would be considered by Cabinet early next week was given by ti e Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, to-day in reply to a deputation of Labour members, who waited on aim. The Hon. T. M. Wilford, Minister of Defence, was present. Mr. 11. E. Holland said he considered it a most deplorable thing that the religious convictions of boys were not being recognised; that they were being put in prison and deprived of civil rights for ten years. It was too late in the history of the world to take up the attitude that a man should be penalised for his religious belief, Mr. Barnard said the law. placed

rather a severe burden on the magistrates in asking them to judge a man’s conscience. He asked if tho warrant for the arrest of the boys could not be held over. The Minister of Justice said he had no power to do that. • Air. Holland:-' Somebody must have power. Sir Joseph Ward: A day or two will v; hurt tho boys. Mr. Jordan remarked that it would have been better if Wednesday’s deputation had gone to Sir Joseph Ward in tho first place. Sir Joseph replied that it might have been better if he had been present at tho time of tho first deputation. Replying on Wednesday to a deputation which consisted of 13 ministers of the Presbyterian Church, Mr. Wilford said. “I do not care what the religious convictions of the man be, anyone has a right to apply for exemption from military training if he conscientiously i believes he should not do it.

“The- clear duty of the magistrate in considering such applications is to ascertain by asking questions, or other means, if the applicants are conscientiously objecting, but if he believes they are not conscientiously objecting, he would not bo worthy of the name of magistrate if he granted that exemp-. tion.”

Mr. Wilford said bluntly that he did I not intend to do anything in the way of interfering with the sentences passed on Richards and Miller. Not one magistrate, but three, had found these men were not conscientious objectors. That was his position, and ho had to accept the opinion of three magistrates, for.whom lie had the highest respect. Warrants for the arrest of the two students had not been executed to-day. Instead the Magistrate’s' Court has issued an attachment order against Miller’s employers for payment into Court of 15s a week until the fine and costs amounting to £5 13s have been paid. No order of this nature has been issued in the case of Richards as he is a fulltime student and is not in employment.