THANKS NOT NEEDED

Timaru Herald, Volume CL, Issue 22063, 9 September 1941, Page 4

THANKS NOT NEEDED

Armed Services Appeal

Board

Loyalty Of Reservist Questioned

An appeal from service on the grounds of conscientious objection was made by Arthur James Childs Wills, labourer, at a sitting of the Armed Services Appeal Board in Timaru yesterday. The Board had previously heard an appeal by Wills against 'territorial service.

Mr W. F. Tracy, Who appeared for the Crown, asked appellant how far his Objection went. “Do you object to do anything under the Government?” he asked.

Appellant: I would depend on my conscience.

You have no loyalty to the Crown at all? —Yes I have. How do you chow it?—By participating Ift or obeying everything I can. What have you done to help the war? —Nothing. When were you drawn in the ballot? —ln November of last year. You have had 10 months to show what form of civil organisation you are prepared to join, and you have done nothing?—At the present moment I have done nothing. Mr Tracy: I have been told that you won’t even stand up when the National Anthem has been played?—l have stood up on every occasion. That is not my information. I was told you were at a dance and you did not stand up for the National Anthem. -That is not correct.

Mr Tracy: That is the extent of your loyalty. Mr A. H. Me Kane: Are you prepared to join the E.P.B.? —That is under the control of the civil authorities, and in the event of martial law it could be used tc help kill people. Mr McKahe: Rubbish! What is your Objection to serving in the E.F.S.?—I can’t say. Why do you object?—l don’t like joining an organisation where I would have to take an oath.

Mr McKane: Evidently you are hot very Interested In the activities of the cohihiunity. If there was an emergency, such as an earthquake, and there were fires and people Injured, what would you do?

Appellant: I would get on my bicycle. I have one, and I Would go to the town and offer my services. Mr McKane: And when you got there you would find everything under the control of the E.P.S. Mr G. M. Hall: I don’t know what the circumstances would be in a case such as that mentioned by Mr McKane, but I can visualise that when you went there you would be told to get out of the road. That is how touch they would welcome you. Mr Hall: You have helped in one way.

Appellant: How? You have had to pay 1/- in the £ tax. Appellant: I did that under protest. Mr Hall: You did not tell your employers that you would not work for them If they deducted the tax?— No. The appeal was allowed. Before stepping down appellant said that he wished to thank the Board for the leniency extended to him. Mr F. F. Reid, S.M.: We do not require any thanks.