SHIRKERS’ “RIGHTS,”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1913, 10 December 1918, Page 1

SHIRKERS’ “RIGHTS,”

PARLIAMENT’S DECREE. When the Expeditionary Forces Bill was before the House of Representatives on Friday, Mr M’Combs made another plea for military defaulters (liable in the Bill to deprivation of civil rights up to ten years). He moved an amendment on behalf of such defaulters. The Minister of Defence said he hoped that the House would reject the proposal. The genuine conscientious objector, on religious grounds, would be removed from the list. But the others who had saved their skins by shirking should not have a privilege. The amendment was lost on the voices.

On the motion for the third reading, Messrs Holland (Grey) and Fraser (Wellington Central) stated in half-hour speeches (he case for conscientious objectors and defaulters generally. Mr R. A. Wright replied with a vigour which was warmly applauded (a rare tribute in a debate).

Mv T. A. H. Field (Nelson), after reading extracts from a paper formerly edited by Mr Holland, remarked: “Is it any wonder shirkers are mannfaelured in New Zealand?” Sir James Allen said (hat the member for Grey had said eonseription was extended for twelve months by the Bill. It was not eonseription, whieh was practically dead, but provision was made for the maintenance of diseipline till the Expeditionary Force was demobilised. He was glad now that the strict line had been drawn between the religious and (he conscientious objector. He had been amongst some of the so-called conscientious objectors, and had wondered on what were their consciences built. Some had said they would as soon be under German as British rule. Were these men worthy of British citizenship? Many of these men were defiant objectors, and not conscientious objectors, and now the hon. member for Grey was asking for an indemnity for them, so that they might be released before the men who had been fighting. When the'fighting men returned, were they to find these cowards who had developed a conscience when the war broke out occupying the posts soldiers should occupy? For the genuine religious objector there was a good case. The Minister was heartily applauded.