ANTI-MILITARISTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1918, Page 3

ANTI-MILITARISTS.

STATEMENT BY DEFENCE MINISTER. [PER CRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.? WELLINGTON, Feb. 25~ In a statment given to the Press, tlie Minister of Defence enters upon a lengthy vindication of the Department’s treatment of anti-militarists. He corrects an impression, general u* the public mind, that all objectors are “conscientious” objectors and point;! out that the only objectors recognised by law is “religious objectors,” whose appeal will be allowed, if ho prove that on August 4tli 19114, he was a member of a religious body whose doctrines de-

clared the bearing on arms and the. performing of combatant service was contrary to the divine revelation. After explaining and justifying the treatment of objectors sent abroad, the Minister concludes “The question of the treatment of anti-Militarists presents a clear cut issue for the people of this country to consider. ,

(a) Whether the laws solemnly deliberately enacted by. Parliament, are to be objected to, or—

(b) Whether a defiance of the law'is ■to be permitted, and those persons who know no rule but their own inclinations, are to ' lie practically I exempt from • military service, while citizens and sons of citizens wo recognise and obey the law are to serve and possibly suffer wounds and death, in the interests of the nation. The military authorities are responsible for administering the Military Service Act, and what they do will be legally done. It is not conceivable that the people of this country would approve of thfe course of permitting persons who set the laws at defiance, to be absolved ‘ from the" law and be governed by their own inclinations.

If the responsible authority is to knuckle under to insubordination the whole fabric of the British Empire would crumble into chaos.