CONSCIENCE AND DUTY

Southland Times, Issue 24840, 4 September 1942, Page 4

CONSCIENCE AND DUTY

PROTEST AGAINST APPEAL A conscientious objector of an unusual type appeared at the sitting of the Southland Armed Forces Appeal Board in Invercargill yesterday. In objecting to an appeal on his behalf he .said: “There are some whose conscience won’t let them go to war, but my conscience says that I should go when my turn comes. Ido not believe in appeals. Every able man should be a front-line man.” The reservist was Arthur Herbert Grey, of Fairfax, who is employed at the Otautau linen flax factory. The appeal on his behalf was made by the factory manager, Mr W. A. Mowat. Mr Mowat said that Grey was a leading hand in the factory and there was no other man trained to do his work. The chairman, Mr E. H. Murney (to Grey): You want to go to the war? Grey: Well, I don’t exactly want to go, but I feel it is my duty to go now that my turn has come. You were graded two?—Yes. You know there is little likelihood of you being sent out of New Zealand?— I was told I was eligible for overseas service. Mr Murney: At present only grade one men are being sent out of the country. You may remain in camp in New Zealand for the duration of the war. You are doing quite a useful job now and I think you should stick to it. The appeal was adjourned sine die.