CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 512, 9 March 1920, Page 2

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

MUST GO TO DRILL. At the Magistrate's Court on Thursday, before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., application was made by Mr. W. Adamson for permanent exemption from drill for his sons, Reginald William, aged 17 years, and Geo; Eric, aged 18 years, on religious grounds. ; •' •: The elder youth said he did not want to drill because it said in the bible not to drill. The younger one said he did not want to take up arms in any way because it was contrary to the teachings of Jesus. He could not serve, two masters. The Magistrate: Yes, you can. The father supported the application, and said the boys had denied themselves the pleasures of the world in preference to serving their Maker. It was contrary to their belief to take up arms. Lieutenant Hatt, area officer, represented the Defence Department, and said the facts of the case were no different since the last application for exemption. The boys had drilled at Bombay before the war. They were good boys, and did not object to drill then. The Department wished the boys to drill. Fully 90 per cent, of the syllabus was physical drill, and this class of drill braced young lads up. He worked in with local conditions, and if there was any special purpose, boys were relieved. , , ... Mr. Hunt said the drill did not hurt the lads in any way. The father said the boys were genuine in their refusal to take any part in warfare. The Magistrate said in the event of war, if they did not want to take up arms, thev could be transferred to one of the hospital or sanitary branches. They must obey the laws of the country, and therefore the application would be dismissed. "They have got to go to drill," concluded Mr. Hunt.