CONDUCT OF APPEAL

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21362, 5 March 1941, Page 2

CONDUCT OF APPEAL

ANSWERS PREPARED PAPER HANDED TO BOARD (By Telegraph.—Press Association) TIMARU, Tuesday A questionaire which had evidently been prepared to assist conscientious objectors in appeals was inadvertently handed in by an appelland who had pinned it to a statement which he submitted when his ease was heard by the Armed Services Appeal Board at Timaru today. The chairman, Mr F. Reid, S.M., asked appellant who prepared the questionnaire and appellant replied a friend had done so. He was not prepared to give the name. The questionnaire dealt with suggested answers regarding church membership and service an appellant was prepared to render, such as ambulance work. A good answer was that he should be guided by conscience as far as holding a job during and after the war. An appellant should say he did not consider violence protection nor did he seek this protection. The questionnaire offered important suggestions as follows: “Prepare case thoroughly. Have full notes. Before you appear make clear in your own mind what your stand is. Make a stand and stick to it. Be courteous, but not apologetic. If cornered say you know what you believe is the right course. “A good answer which would cover most questions was that appellant would leave it to the will of God. If asked to answer ‘Yes’ or ‘No,’ say quietly but firmly that some questions cannot be answered in that way." The final suggestion was after the ease was called there would be an uncomfortable wait while members of the board read through the case. During this one of the members of the board stares at the appellant, who should not look, but quietly look through his notes. Eleven cases were heard by the board, all concerning conscientious objectors. Decisions were reserved.