DEFIANT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 27 August 1917, Page 2

DEFIANT.

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS. DISLIKE FOR MILITARY LAW. A defiant attitude was adopted by several conscientious objectors who appeared before the Third Military Military Service Board in Wellington. Percy Guy Wright (28) stated that of the family of four sons none had served. Two brothers were m the Second Division. He was a Quaker, a member of the Society of Friends. . The Chairman: Will you sign a declaration that you are willing to undertake non-combatant work? —No. The Chairman: It is quite a different declaration to that first put before you. Appellant: I have been in Trentham in detention for 24 weeks and I -have had ample opportunity of studying the regulations. I am quite prepared to work on a fann. Captain Baldwin: Well, won't you sign the declaration? —No, the declaration is not clear on the piont. You know what the consequences will be? —Yes, several of my friends are now serving 11 months in the Terrace Gaol. You won't sign a the declaration then?—No. The Chairman:! Well, that is the end of it Unpatriotic people like you don't deserve to belong to the nation. The appeal was dismisses. , MORE DEFIANCE. The next man, Henry James Levett, said he belonged to no sect or church. Further, he would sign nothing under the Military Act, no matter what the consequences might be. He' knew he would not come under Section 18 of the Act. It made no difference. He was defiant. Mr Considine: Would you like to become a German? Appellant (hesitatingly): No. I am British born.

Captain Baldwin: You mean you were born under the British flag. , Appellant: I was, and I don't know that I am very proud of the fact. He went on to declare that Satan was responsible for the war and Satanic influence would prevail so long a nations depended upon force of arms. He was cut short by the Chairman, who said the Board had no recommendation to make. THE MIND'S STRANGE WORKINGS. J. A. Brailford also admitted that he did not come under the Act. He woul not sign the declaration, and asserted that he was prepared to look after the wounded in a civilian capacity only. He would not join the Medical Corps, because it would only mean that he would replace another man, and so increase the efficiency of the fighting force. After commenting on the strange I working of some minds, the Chair- j man said the B'oard had no recom- j mendation to make. .

Herbert Charles Milverton a Christadelphian, and David L. Jackson, Seventh Day Adventist, both agreed to sign the statutory and their apepals were allowed..