ALTERNATIVE SERVICE

Waikato Independent, Volume XLI, Issue 3890, 11 August 1941, Page 1

ALTERNATIVE SERVICE

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS MINISTER STATES POLICY The policy of the Government concerning alternative service for conscientious objectors has been outlined by the acting-Prime Minister, the Hon. W. Nash. He said that regulations would shortly be gazetted to cover the subject. The Minister said that no man whose appeal on conscientious grounds had been allowed, should be placed in 3 better financial position than one who probably on equally conscientious ground had entered camp and trained to fight. As a citizen such man should be prepared to serve the community in the place where he could be of the greatest value, .ajthough not necessarily in work connected with the war effort.

The Government had been exceedingly fortunate in'obtaining the services of three of the leading barristers of the Dominion, Messrs A. H. Johnstone, K-C, H. F. O'Leary, K.C. and A. T. Donnelly, added Mr Nash. These gentlmen would be appointed as individual tribunals with headquarters in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, to determine the uuestions raised under the regulations, and would commence their sittings toward the end of this month. Regulations would/ be gazetted also to deal with men who failed to obey the orders of the tribunal, or refused to perform military service if his appeal were dismissed. It was proposed to establish a defaulters' camp.