CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 125, 13 February 1918, Page 4

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

MR. HOLLAND'S TALES. Some extraordinary statements were made by Mr. H. Holland at his meeting in tho Concert Chamber about the cruel treatment to which ho alleged certain conscientious objectors had been subjected. These statements have been submitted to the Prime Minister. Following are the statements and Mr. Massey's famarks upon them :— 1. "Fourteen lads had been sentenced three or four times for the one offence—a gross injustice!" Reply: "This statement is untrue. No man could be and no man was sentenced more than once for tho same offence." 2. "Some of them were boys of twenty, deported without their mothers knowing whore they were going." Reply: "This is also untrue. Seven were 30 years of age and over; one was 27; throe were 24; ono was 23, two were 22." . 3. "They were taken Home in irons." Reply: "This statement is like tho others, but it is a fact that on the voyage some of them would not observe ordinary cleanliness and as r consequence their civilian outfits worecondemned by the medical officpr, ami they were compelled to dress in uniform." 4. "Massey, Ward, find Allen had promised that tliey would not be ricr'seouted or forced to wear uniform." Reply: "No such promise was made." 5. "They were taken in irons to France." Replv: "There wore five of these men who stated that they wore conscientious and relijrious obioctors. These latter were not compelled to wear uniform snvl ■"'ere not sent to France. Tho report does not show how many of the remainder wero sent to Franco, nor does it say anything about their lining taken in irons, but if such was the case then the obvious conclusion must bo that it was ncoossarv for the. authorities to take such precautions. "It is quite clear that tlm statements referred to '"'ore crossly exaggerated, and made for the purpose of nronulieini the. administration of the Military Service Act in the oye<; of tho public. Tt is no rtloasurc tn tho_ Government or the Defence niithoriti> to punish men for non-compliance with a necessary law. lint in i *" ,1(, " F war the.; Art'must ho strictly enforced, at" administered without fear or favour." j