CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 27, 17 September 1920, Page 3

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS.

WHAT RETURNED SOLDIERS THINK. Quesfcions affecting the punishment of ! conscientious objectors were considered at the meeting of the Dominion exeeutive of the N.Z.R.S.A. on Saturday. A letter was received from general headquarters stating that 16 men were still undergoing imprigonment, and that there were 2000 meh for whose arrests warrants had been issued. Tho meeting carried the foJIowing resolution: "That this exeeutive of the N.Z.R.S.A. -recognises that in the case of genuine conscientious objectors imprisonment is unnecessary, but affirms the principle that such persons have no claim to civil rights for the period prcv vided by the Statute ; on the other hand, this exeeutive is firmlv of opinion that all military defaulters who are not genuine conscientious objectors should be proceeded against (if not already tried) and that they should serve their full term and lose their civil rights for the period specified."