"ONSCIENCE" MEN

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2118, 8 April 1914, Page 8

"ONSCIENCE" MEN

REMARKS,. TBy Telegraph— Special Correspondent.) , Palmerston, April 7., ' ''At' its meeting to-day the Kairanga County Council was' asked by letter from the Minister of Defence for answers to tho following questions with respect' to finding employment for religious • objectors to defence service:—(l) What naturo of work would be'most suitable in town or country?. Would the local ■authorities provide- work? (2) What would be the most suitable method of supervising and recording ; tho work dpno? Would the* local authorities as- ■ sist in administration? (3) AVould it bo. possible to carry out the work ts ■provided in the'regulations ?. If not, how would you• propose■> to. allot the time for work? (4) .'Any other points that may occur-to you." Councillor Voss: Put them to stonebreaking. , . Councillor Wilsner: Tes; stone-break-ing in camp for three months. Councillor Moody suggested the crea,tion of a. .volunteer unit. in addition to 'Territorials..' Ho 'thought that then-the objectors would not decline to 'drill. Personally, ho would sooner have one volunteer than' two : or three- pressed men. _' '..'.' . ■ Councillor Wilshor: TKey are simply objecting because they do not want to 'do anything for nothing. Councillor' Anderson considered that roadmaking was a big asset to the.Defence- Department, because, in time of war, good roads were necessary.. Personally, ho did not belieye that the objectors were conscientious at all. Councillor Moody instanced a case- of boy who was an alleged objector, but who'was tho first to offer for scrvidb as a special constable in Wellington during the recent strike. "Mri Bryant ' (chairman) considered that,many of the objections wero, nothinK but the pleas,of lazy loafers, but lie recognised that they could not employ.boys of sixteen or seventeen years 'of ago on roads. Ho thought! that tha council.should express to the Defence Department its sympathy in the matter, hut ho also .thought .that the Department should find the work. A- motion to that offect. was 'carried.