THE SHIRKER.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 May 1919, Page 3

THE SHIRKER.

"A CUR TO HIS FLAG" Christchurch, May 27. At the Beturned Soldiers Conference on behalf of the Oamaru association, which had no delegate present, Mr Al-j rich (Wellington) moved a remit: "That the association considers that conscientious objectors who have received sentence should be made to serve the full term." Mr Andrews (Auckland) moved an amendment that the following words be added to the remit: "And that the Government be urged to use every endeavor by offering rewards and by other means at their disposal to bring to trial every man who has failed to parade when called in a ballot, and every man who deserted from camp after having been arrested."

Mr Alrich agreed to include those words in his motion, but the chairman ruled that the amendment referred to a different question from that of the actual remit.

It was decided that Mr Andrews' proposal should come up as a separate motion. On the suggestion of Mr Batten (Wellington), Mr Alrich agreed to alter the words "conscientious objectors" in his remit to "military defaulters." Mr McManus (Dunedin) said he was of the opinion that a military defaulters should be punished, but if he really had conscientious objections, tbeu, now that the war was won, there was no call for any display of vindictiveness. Sir Long (Auckland) said he would have no mercy whatever oh the man who had shirked his responsibility to his country, but he would punish him in such a way that the punishment would not reflect on his dependents. The speaker respected a man who had a genuine religious opinion, but many had shirked their responsibilities behind the cloak of religion. He added that the Auckland association had pledged itself to sit on no committee with men who had failed to fulfil their obligations to their country, Mr Mclling (Auckland) strongly supported Mr Long and the remit. Mr Simeon (Gi&'oorne) said there was only one way fh which to describe a man who would not fight for his wife and children and for his flag. He was a cur to his flag and to his country, and shooting was too good for him. Mr Tattersall (Rotorua) supported the remit, and remarked that every man who had been sentenced had had his case thoroughly sifted before such action was taken. The Temit was then put and carried unanimously. Mr Andrews' motion, as previously worded, was also carried without dissent.