MILITARY SERVICE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 32, 7 February 1941, Page 7

MILITARY SERVICE

FURTHER APPEALS HEARD CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION WANGANUI SITTINGS END. Sittings of the No. 3 Armed Forces i Appeal Board, which began in Wanganui on Tuesday, were concluded yesterday, when 10 appeals, nine of which were based on conscientious objection, were heard by the board. Decision was reserved in each case. One of the appeals heard yesterday was on behalf of a farmer at Marton, drawn in the overseas ballot, on the ground of public interest and hardship. The other appellants were reservists drawn in Territorial ballots, their objection to military service being based on religious beliefs. Decisions reserved by the board yesterday will be announced to-day. The board consists of Mr. A. Coleman. S.M. (Wanganui), chairman; Mr T. H. B. Ewens (Wanganui), and Mr. T. R. Lees (Palmerston North). Appeals heard yesterday were:— Percy Augustus Ander, appeal by self on ground of conscientious objection. Appellant said he was a Christadelphian and that their articles of faith were opposed to war. He would agree to any national service under civil control, but not to non-combat-ant service under military control. Objection To War. Samuel John Sullivan said he was a managing and presiding brother in the Christadelphians in Wanganui, and had been appointed to watch the appeals of conscientious objectors. His church had consistently refused to take the oath of allegiance to the King because it was contrar” to the commandments of Christ. Since 1864 the society had objected to taking .part in war, as it conflicted with the teachings of Christ. Ander had been a member of the society since 1914, and had regularly attended meetings. His mother had been a consistent attendee of meetings for the last 27 years. The objection to war was based on the commandments of Christ. Decision was reserved. Maurice Charles Banks, appeal by self on grounds of conscientious objection. Appellant said he was a conscientious objector to military service on the grounds of being a Christadelphian. He had been a member of this body for six years. To Mr. Clinkard: He was prepared to do national work under civilian I control. Samuel John Sullivan said appellant had been brought up in a strict Christadelphian home, and regularly attended meetings. Decision was reserved. Jack Albert Lampp, appeal by self on grounds of public interest and undue hardship, co-appellant being his father. A. I-I. Lampp, on the same grounds. Farm Labour Problems. Albert H. Lampp, farmer, Marton, said he was often unable to work because of his health and considered it would be impossible to replace his son with another man. Several of his neighbours had tried to get farm labour, without success. One neighbour hired a man who would work only 40 hours a week and was of little use. The farmers helped each other with seasonal work. Decision was reserved.

Wesley Albert Chambers, appeal by self on grounds of conscientious objection. Appellant said he was a. clerk employed by the Wanganui Hospital Board and was 19 years of age. On conscientious grounds he objected to undertaking Territorial training. He believed that war was contrary to the teachings of Christ, and in a statement said he was a communicant member of the Methodist Church, which allowed liberty of conscience. Before the war he had held the view that war was contrary to the teachings of Christ, and when at school had sought exemption from service with the college cadets, and that his present attitude was consistent with the view he had always held. He had been recommended by the Methodist Synod to the Methodist Conference for acceptance as a student for the ministry. To Mr. Clinkard: He was aware some members of the Methodist Church were taking part in the war, and added that the church allowed liberty of conscience on the subject. He was not prepared to undertake non-combatant service under military control. Decision was reserved. Bryant Goldsbury, for whom Mr. R. Brown appeared, appeal by self on grounds of conscientious objection. Non-Combatant Service. Counsel said appellant was an active member of the Society of Friends, and was prepared to render any kind of non-combatant service, such as Red Cross or first-aid work, which did not involve the bearing of arms. He was particularly suitable for this class of service as he was a qualified chemist. Appellant said he had been a member of the society since 'C'rth. His parents and grandparents had also been members. Mr. Clinkard said he was well aware that appellant and his people were staunch supporters of the society. Appellant was carrying out important work as a chemist, and Mr. Clinkard added that he did not think the authorities would have any difficulty in finding him a non-combatant service of value to the country. Decision was reserved. Douglas Vivian Gray, appeal by self

on grounds of conscientious objection. Appellant said he was a farmer at Long Acre and had 360 acres which he farmed in partnership with his brother. He would have appealed on grounds of public interest and undue hardship, but did not know that he could appeal on more than one ground.

He added that he was a Seventh Day Adventist and that he believed in the Ten Commandments. He held that war was contrary to these commandments. To Mr. Clinkard: We conscientiously object to coming under military control. Appellant added that he Tegularly attended church once a week. Decision was reserved. Reginald Albert Kendrick-Hunt, appeal by self on grounds of conscientious objection. Bible Teachings. Appellant, who is a van driver, said he objected to going into camp because it was contrary to the teachings of Christ. He had held this belief since he first went to SecondarySchool. He had attended Salvation Army, Methodist and Presbyterian Sunday schools, but was not a member of any particular church or society. He did not go in for any religious activities, and did not think it necessary to attend church, provided one believed in the Bible and its teachings. He did not think there was any non-combatant service in the Army. To Mr. Clinkard: He had four brothers, one of whom was in England and another ready to enter camp when called up. A third had been in camp, but was discharged. The fourth brother was to enter camp shortly. Appellant added that he was prepared to carry out work under the emergency precautions scheme. Decision was reserved. Stanley Cecil Jennings, appeal of self on grounds of conscientious objection. Appellant, who is a clerk aged 25, said he objected to armed service because it was contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ. He was a member ol the Bretheren, and had been for eight or nine years. He attended church fairly regularly. The question of objection to military service was left to the individual to decide. He was prepared to serve in a non-combatant capacity with the Armed Forces. Decision was reserved. James Henry Thomson, appeal byself on grounds of conscientious objection. A statement setting out his views was submitted by appellant, who added that he was a member of the Methodist Church. He believed that war was contrary to Christian teachings. He held that war was so complete a negation of all that Christianity stood for that he considered it would be against his conscience to take part in It. Liberty of Conscience. To Mr. Clinkard: Though the Methodist Church believed that Christianity and war were quite incompatible, members were allowed liberty of conscience. He was prepared to carry out non-combatant duties, but not under military control. He had served in the Territorials after leaving school, but at that time it was not expected that war would come again. Joseph Frederick Martin, a minister of the Methodist Church in Wanganui, said he had known appellant lotthree years, and had found that he conscientiously held the objections which he had set forward. He was a conscientious objector within the terms and meanings of the Methodist Church. Decision was reserved. Davis Maxwell Tooley, appeal by self on grounds of conscientious objection. A student for the Methodist Ministry, appellant, who is aged 20, submitted a statement to the board setting out the grounds for his objection. He believed that he should claim every man as a brother, and was convinced that it was not the will of God that he should attack his brother. He was not prepared to accept military service under any conditions. He added that he had always held these views. The Rev. Martin described appellant as a good, sincere Christian. Decision was reserved.