Defaulters' Camp For Objector Who Refused To Serve

Taranaki Daily News, 25 August 1942, Page 6

Defaulters' Camp For Objector Who Refused To Serve

For failing to rcport for military service, Ivan Arthur Thomas Ward was sentenced in the New Plymouth Police Court yesterday morning to detention in a defaulters' camp. When he made a plea of not guilty, Ward said he had not taken any oath to perform any military service. "Did you or did you not report when ordered to do so?" asked Mr. W. H. Woodward, S.M. . ] Ward said he did not report but he did not regard himself as under obligation to serve in military forces. "You say you did not report, so I take that as a plea oi guilty," said Mr. Woodward. Ward was a member of the first division of the generai reserve, said SeniorSergeant C. M. Anniss. He refused to attest and said he wtts not prepared to undertake any military service. His appeal on conscientious grounds was dismissed unconditionally, and he had since failed and refused to report for service. He had been a Jehovah Witness for seven years, said Ward, and all his spare timd was taken up with preaching the gospel. When asked by the magistrate if he would be prepared to undertake noncombatant service, Ward replied "I wouldn't have time. I work six days a week and in my spare time I am out turning people towards their Creator." Lieutenant F. W. McClennan, army headquarters, New Plymouth, said that Ward was not capable of preaching. He could only repeat what he was tola by someone else. "Would you be prepared to carry out the duties required of you in a defaulters' camp?" asked I-.Ir. Woodward. Not if I am regimented," replied Ward. Mr. Woodward: But we are all regimented and have to do what we are told. Lieutenant McClennan said regimentation was a well-parroted word in this district. "The Jehovah Witnesses all use it," he added. After sentencing Ward Mr. Woodward said he would endeavour to obtain a camp report to ascertain if Ward was keeping his word in respect of doing the duties allotted to him and of not attempting to induce others to refuse duty.