AUSTRALIAN SHIRKERS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 82, 3 November 1916, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN SHIRKERS.

Some peculiar situations were presented by some claimants for exemption ifrom Military Service. A member of tlio Plymouth Brotherhood did nut want to get into lino with the “called-ups.” He had reasons almost innumerable. “No man could serve two masters,” was one of them. Ten years ago ho cried to God for deliverance from his sins, and he fell in with the Scriptual advice, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt he saved.” “I cannot take up arms under the circumstances,” declared the applicant, as he had been bought with a price, “not corruptible as silver and gold.” • “Seeing that men return from the battle,” lie proceeded, “to slay and he slain, after recovering from wounds, I cannot really participate in any way.” Exemption was refused. * * * *

A Christian Israelite did not want to go to war. He objected to it altogether, but lie was disposed to conform to military rules if they were enforced.

In answer to the magistrate it was ascertained that if his father were attacked he would endeavour to protect him “with as little violence as possible.” Questioned further, ho said ho would not have anything to do with the firing line. He was even doubtful as to his attitude on the non-combat-ant aspect of things. : ‘j ( The magistrate suggested that if the applicant were not disposed to yield something, ho would have to absolutely refuse exemption.

After consultation with other friends, claimant agreed to .accept service with the non-combatant branch, and partial exemption was granted.

_A Seventh Day Adventist, “who was brought up in the faith,” objected to bearing arms. He was agreeable to perform non-combatant work, hut not between sunset on Friday and sunset on Saturday. “The Commandments o(' Our Lord,” he said, “are binding upon me, that ‘thou shalldiot kill.’ ”

Partial exemption was granted, * * * * • One case, that of a sturdy-looking young man, who claimed exemption, not so much from any personal aversion to going to the war, as to a desire to assist Jiis people by conducting the business in which he was engaged. Applicant was employed ias manager ol a law stationer’s business, having been with tlic firm since 1 boyhood. Witness had advertised for a manager to take witness’ place, and ho considered it impossible to replace applicant satisfactorily, even two daughters wore dependent on the business which defendent was managing. The business would not stand the high salary which would have to ho paid a man competent to take applicant’s place. The magistrate: You will have to find another man. I will grant three months exemption to give yon an opportunity of doing so.

Claiming that half the family had gone to the war already, one applicant broke down under magisterial crossexamination, and admitted that only one brother was in the firing line. He

then changed Ids appeal and said he was medically unfit for service.

The magistrate: Have you been passed by the doctor?—Yes. The magistrate refused exemption, and applicant signified Ids intention of appealing at once.

A Socialist objected to service from a moral and religious standpoint. Tie said, “I couldn’t participate in war either ,as a combatant or a non-com-batant in any shape or form without sacrificing my convictions and lowering my character.”

Another Socialist said: “I object tbjJeslroyiug human life. [ belieYe in the brotherhood of man, and I would be violating a commandment of God if 1 took life.”

A tim'd said: “1 do not wish to take up arms, even against rny greatest enemy.”

These three, together with a fourth, engaged m :ong dissertations with the magistrate in an endeavour to convince him of tlm’.""’verity of their beliefs, ‘but all failed.

A young draper told the magistrate that, out of his earnings of £3 2s (id a week, he supported his sister ancl her child.

The magistrate remarked that in England it was obligatory on a father to contribute to his daughter’s support. Unfortunately, it was not so here. “I refuse the exemption,” he concluded, “and 1 am very sorry for you. Would it be any advantage if 1 granted you temporary exemption f” The applicant said it would make no difference and signified his intention of going into camp at once.

A shortage of farriers' was the excuse urged by a father in support ot his son’s application for exemption. “Over 100 farriers have already gone to tile war and none of them have come back,” he told the magistrate.

Temporary exemption for one month was granted.

The secretary and accountant of a large carrying firm was refused exemption, although ho claimed that he was the sole support of his mother, two sisters, and a brother. The applicant was, however, further temporarily exempted until December o I

A saddler applied for exemption oir the grounds that his business w.is a national one, and, further, that be had conscientious objections to nsvig anus and taking 1 iniinan“fHW Applicant said he had given freely to aji patriotic funds,,and would he prepared to make a monetary sacrifice sooner than go to the war. fib belonged from childhood to a ’aoiiy commonly known as Plymouth Brethren, and as a Christian he would .under no circumstances take life. Ido objected to participating in the use of arms in any dispute, whatever the circumstances and however inst other opinions may ho of the cause. The applicant produced papers proving that his father belonged to the same religions sect, and that his statements were true.

The magistrate said he thought this was a case in which the conscientious objections were made in good faith, and not for the .purpose of evading service at the war. Applicant was granted exemption

from all duties of a combatant nature

At the Brunswick (Melbourne) Exemption Court last week, Terdinantl Johann Heine, a resident of Moreland road, and of German parentage, applied for exemption. His application paper stated that ho was the only eligible member of his family, which consisted of three girls and two boys, his brother being only three years ' old. Applicant was the only one in the family who was working. He told the Court that he did not wish to fight against his relatives in Germany. Applicant: “What is my position if Igo to fight?” The Magistrate (sternly): “You are an Anstra ian. You’re prepared to live here under the British flag, and enjoy its benefits and freedom, and yet you are not prepared to gf> and fight because your’e of German

descent.” Applicant: “I don’t want to tight against my relatives.” .Magistrate: “That will do. If you take my advice you will keep those sentiments to yourself. If you go away and give expression to such talk you will tinci yourself in serious trouble. The application was refused.