CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3972, 18 July 1929, Page 3

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS.

GOVERNMENT’S DECISION. SENTENCES TO STAND. The decision of the Government in respect to the appeal made in respect to the sentence imposed on two conscientious objectors in Auckland against military service was announced on Tuesday by the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward). The Prime 'Minister stated that it would be improper to interfere with the course of the law, and the decisions of the Magistrates would stand. Instructions would be issued, however, that in future students of divinity would have the right, upon application to a Magistrate, to obtain exemption fi’om military service. Sir Joseph Ward made a similar statement in the House of Representatives this afternoon. When Sir Joseph announced that the exemptions would apply to divinity students only, Labour members interjected: “Or anybody else?” The Prime Minister: “Not anybody else.” Reform members: “You will wreclk the whole of the Defence system.” Sir Joseph: “No, we will not!” Sir Joseph pointed out that the Presbyterian Church was not unanimous on the question. The divinity students would have the right to apply for exemption. Mr. J. A. Nash (Palmerston): “Shirkers! They have the best of the deal at last.” Mr. W. E. Parry (Auckland Central) : “You kept a respectable distance out of it.” Mr. Speaker: “Order, order!” Sir Joseph Ward: “It is only for those who apply.” Reform members: “Everybody will apply.” Mr. H. E. Holland (Buller) : “Will Miller’s wages still be garnisheed?”

Sir Joseph Ward: “Whatever the decision of the Court was, it must stand.” Mr. Holland: “The Prime Minister knows the position of the family, I expect.” Sir Joseph: “We can’t interfere, with the decision of the Court.” Mr. Holland: “His mother is dying.” DIVINITY STUDENTS PAY FINES. Auckland, Last Night. The Presbyterian divinity students Alan Morgan Richards and Alexander Miller, who were each lined £5 for refusing to perform military training, paid their flues to-day. At the time Miller paid his fine he also made further application, fojr exemption from drill, while it is expected that within the next few days Richards will follow suit.