MILITARY SERVICE BILL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2184, 2 October 1920, Page 3

MILITARY SERVICE BILL.

■ » ABOuS<S« ™'-W BY CWIiTIn the House of Parliament -lili., Thursday, the Hon. Sir R. H. Rhodes moved the second reading of the Military Service Amendment Bill. He said the Bill merely substituted the trial of deserters and defaulters by civil process for (rial by courtmartial. There was, he saiik a. general feeling that they should get back to the civil condition as soon as possible, and this Bill was a stop in that direction. The Bill did not provide for the restoration of; civil rghts to deserters and defaulters, nor would he favour such a propsal. He had no sympathy with those who thus failed in their duly to (heir country.

Mr T. M. Wilford said the Bill was on admission on the part of the Government that the court-martial system had broken down, and (or (hat reason he welcomed the Bill. Mr W. D. Lysnar opposed the retrospective character of Clause 4, which provided for punishment for offences under the principal Act. Mr H. H. Holland made an appeal on behalf of (he conscientious objector', for men convicted of ordinary’ breaches of the military Jaws, and for a general amnesty for those not yet apprehended. He said he felt sure the Minister did not want to pursue a policy of vindictiveness. Hon. E. P. Lee denied that there was anything retrospective about Clause 4. nor could he admit that the introduction ot the Bill was a confession that the system of courtmartial had broken down. Mr G. Mitchell admitted that there might be some .sincere conscientious objectors, but the majority of these people had no consciences at all—they were simply “shirkers’’ and “funks.” He denounced Air Holland’s attitude towards those people. and said that not many soldiers shared the views of General Russell towards conscientious objectors. . , ~ . After the Minister of Defence had bretly replied, the Bill was read the second time on the voices.