M.LC. Against Peacetime Military Training

Chronicle (Levin), 13 October 1949, Page 9

M.LC. Against Peacetime Military Training

WELLINGTON, Oct. 12. Reaffirming his stand in favour of eonscription in wartime, Hon. T. Bloodworth (Auckland), m the Legislative Council this afternoon, nevertheless protested against compulsory military training in peacetime for a limited group of people while the rest of the community conti'ibuted little or nothing towards the country's defence. "I am not a Communist, fellowtraveller, disgruntled politician, nitwit or totalitarian," said Mr. Bloodworth. "1 just have not olianged my mind about the need for compulsory military training in peacetime. ' ' He criticised tlxe Military Training Bill on the foilowing grounds: — Provision for the exemption of ministers of religion and members of religious orders, the representation for applieants before the postponement committee for exemption or postponement of serviee, the inconsistency of the ban on liquor in training establishments in face of practical circumstanees, and the dangerous precedent which. he claimed was established by seetion 57 requiring, except in special circumstances, that.the onus of proof of innocence of an olf'enee against that part of the Act, to be on the defendant. "What would happen to a trainee in the Navy if the King sent a signal to "spliee the mainbrace1?" asked Mr. Bloodwortli. Sir William Perry (Wellington) : He would have lime juice. Sir William spoke strongly in favour of the Bill and claimed that adequate provision was made for coiSscientious' objectors altkough he agreed with the previous speaker that it was extremeiy diiiicult for a layman to judge another's true conscience. Hon. J. T. Paul (Wellington) expressed a fear that "the military mind" niight try to dominate our democraey but supported the Bill generally, as did Hon. R. Eddy (Wellington) whose niain concern was the possible effect of the liquor restrictions iu training establishments on those who, in civilian life, would nonnally be entitled to liquor.