Law Must Prevail

Levin Daily Chronicle, 2 March 1918, Page 4

Law Must Prevail

SAYS MINISTER OP DEFENdE. ANTI-MILITARISTS AND THEIR TREATMENT. WELLINGON, Teatcray. In a statement given to the Press the Minister of Defence enters upon a i lengthy vindication of the Depart- ' ment's treatment of anti-militarists. He corrects the impression general in tho public mind that all objectors are '' conscientious'' objectors, and points ! out that the only objector recognised j by law is the "religious objector," I whose appeal will be allowed if he j proves that on. August 4th, 1914, he j was a member of a religious body ;whose ! doctrines declare the bearing of arms j and the performance of combatant service contrary to 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 and-jdeliberately enacted by Parliament are to be obeyed, or (b) Whether defiance of the law is to be permitted and those persons who know no rule' but their own, inclinations are to be practically exempt from military service, while citizens and sons of citizens who recognise and obey the law arc 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 have done has been legally done. It : is not conceivable that the people of j, this country would approve of a course j permitting poisons who set the law at [ defiance to be absolved from the law

and to be governed by their own in

Iclinations. If the responsible authority is to knuckle under to insubordination, I the whole fabric of the British Empire I will crumble into chaos."