“NO CONSCIENCE”

Timaru Herald, Volume CL, Issue 22031, 2 August 1941, Page 4

“NO CONSCIENCE”

Men Refusing To Serve Country

(P.A.) INVERCARGILL, August 1. Conscientious objectors not prepared to do alternative service were strongly condemned by several speakers at today’s meeting of. the Southland Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. In introducing a motion from the Balfour branch, Mr E. W. Stevens said that it was apparent from the reports of appeals that in some instances all the relevant facts had not been brought before the Board. Mr Stevens moved the following motion—- “ That this executive supports the proposal of the Gore R.S.A. to form district committees of that organisation to give evidence on conscientious objectors and other appeals.” “It is high time something was done,” said Mr D. H. O’Brien, hi seconding the motion. Not only were there conscientious objectors but there were some men taking refuge behind cows or old ewes. He was satisfied that men refusing to serve their country had no conscience. If they had any conscience at all they would realise what the armed forces were doing to defend their cause and the great work being done by the women of Great Britain. There were no men more fitted for saying who should go to war than returned soldiers. The motion was carried.

The following motion was also carried: “That conscientious objectors who refuse alternative service be drafted to essential production at soldiers’ rates of pay without soldiers’ benefits, and that they be deprived of their civil rights for a term of 10 years.