PLAN REQUIRED

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21993, 19 June 1941, Page 4

PLAN REQUIRED

Alternative Service Conscientious Objectors (P.A.) WELLINGTON, June 18. The council of the Wellington Manufacturers’ Association last night unanimously decided to support the attitude of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ Association urging the Government to implement regulations for alternative service for consiCentlous objectors and asking for an immediate definition of the conditions of service and urging that alternative service be at soldiers' rates of pay. As it was recognised that in the case of objectors now being paid, for example, £1 a day, this would cause an anomaly, it was decided to urge that the remaining 13/- be made available for the patriotic funds. The president of the association (Mr G. H. Jackson) said that there was no desire on the part of the council to be dogmatic, but the question had been brought forward purely from a commonsense viewpoint. The retention in employment of enemy aliens, particularly in Government departments, was also discussed and the suggestion was made that they should be interned. Business men, it was stated, were becoming concerned at these persons being left at large or working in Important positions. The feeling of the council was that no general statement of assurance by the Government was enough. It was all very well for the Attorney-General (the Hon. H. G. R. Mason) to say such things were being investigated, but the fact remained that aliens were still working for the State. The secretary of the New Zealand Employers’ Federation, Mr C. G. Camp, said to-day that the Federation had not discussed the question of conscientious objectors and would not do so till an employer submitted a concrete case as a basis for discussion. No employer having a conscientious objector on his staff had yet asked the Federation for a ruling about what policy should be adopted towards men who refused to serve In the forces. When such a case was placed before the Federation it would be fully discussed. The Federation had not considered the question on general principles. The New Zealand Farmers’ Union had not considered the question of conscientious objectors, said the Dominion secretary of the Union, Mr A. P. O’Shea, to-day.