Reaction From New Zealand Society to Conscientious Objectors
Most of New Zealand society, supported the war efforts and disagreed with the conscientious objectors, because they believed the conscientious objectors were allowing the onslaught of Germans to continue to destroy civilian lives.
This is a computer generated version of the
N.Z. CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS.Maoriland Worker, Volume 9, Issue 351, 30 January 1918, Page 4 -- http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=MW19180130.2.24&cl=search&srpos=0&e=-------10--1----0--&st=1
N.Z. CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS.
British Friends Trying to Trace Them.
Editor, " The Maoriland Worker,"— As you are fighting the battle of the conscientious objectors, you may be interested in the following extracts from a letter received by the last English mail. My correspondent is Maria Rowntree, sister of Joshua Rowntree, and widow of John Edward Ellis, the well-known Quaker M.P. for the Rushcliff c Division of Nottinghamshire. She writes: "Friends are, of course, terribly concerned about the New Zealand fourteen C.O.s, and have been trying to trace them. E., who is secretary to the committee set up by Friends to keep in touch with C.O.s in prison, has been interviewing the officer in command of the N.Z. Brigade, and says she never came up against such 'adamant' before! Further inquiries resulted in hearing that no English Department had any power over the N.Z. deportees, neither the War Office nor the Home Office. E. tells me our people are doing all they can, but it is a question of jurisdiction between N.Z. or English authorities. It is very difficult to get information.because of the fear of interference with the colony. You know how the colony resents this, and our Government is only too glad to leave thorny questions alone." And yet Sir James Allen has told us often he can do nothing, as the treatment of C.O.s is in "the hands of the Imperial authorities"!—-Yours, etc.,
CONSTANT READER. SIR JAMES ALLEN IN REPLY. The following is a copy of a letter forwarded by Sir James Allen in reply to the Dunedin Women's International League's demand for the release of the Objectors: Wellington, December 18,1917. Dear Madam, —I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 11th inst. The Military Service Act provides that every citizen of New Zealand of military age who is medically fit should do service for his country in these trying times. I cannot understand how you can disagree with me when I say that this is a fair and democratic proposal. In your letter you protest against the treatment meted out to conscientious objectors. No one regrets more than I do that it has been necessary to punish in any way the conscientious objectors, but it is obvious that unless something were done consciences would develop to an abnormal degree. I regret very much that the men cannot be released, as it would only lead to discrimination in favour of those who were not prepared to take up the burden that other men have taken up.—Yours faithfully, J. ALLEN, Minister of Defence.
This article shows how majority of society did actually see conscientious objectors as morally wrong as they were not prepared to fight for the country, and it was their moral duty to fight in war. The minister of Defence did not deem it acceptable to release the conscientious objectors out of imprisonment because they were not abiding to their patriotic duties as a New Zealander.
N.Z. CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS.Maoriland Worker, Volume 9, Issue 351, 30 January 1918, Page 4 -- http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=MW19180130.2.24&cl=search&srpos=0&e=-------10--1----0--&st=1
N.Z. CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS.
British Friends Trying to Trace Them.
Editor, " The Maoriland Worker,"— As you are fighting the battle of the conscientious objectors, you may be interested in the following extracts from a letter received by the last English mail. My correspondent is Maria Rowntree, sister of Joshua Rowntree, and widow of John Edward Ellis, the well-known Quaker M.P. for the Rushcliff c Division of Nottinghamshire. She writes: "Friends are, of course, terribly concerned about the New Zealand fourteen C.O.s, and have been trying to trace them. E., who is secretary to the committee set up by Friends to keep in touch with C.O.s in prison, has been interviewing the officer in command of the N.Z. Brigade, and says she never came up against such 'adamant' before! Further inquiries resulted in hearing that no English Department had any power over the N.Z. deportees, neither the War Office nor the Home Office. E. tells me our people are doing all they can, but it is a question of jurisdiction between N.Z. or English authorities. It is very difficult to get information.because of the fear of interference with the colony. You know how the colony resents this, and our Government is only too glad to leave thorny questions alone." And yet Sir James Allen has told us often he can do nothing, as the treatment of C.O.s is in "the hands of the Imperial authorities"!—-Yours, etc.,
CONSTANT READER. SIR JAMES ALLEN IN REPLY. The following is a copy of a letter forwarded by Sir James Allen in reply to the Dunedin Women's International League's demand for the release of the Objectors: Wellington, December 18,1917. Dear Madam, —I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 11th inst. The Military Service Act provides that every citizen of New Zealand of military age who is medically fit should do service for his country in these trying times. I cannot understand how you can disagree with me when I say that this is a fair and democratic proposal. In your letter you protest against the treatment meted out to conscientious objectors. No one regrets more than I do that it has been necessary to punish in any way the conscientious objectors, but it is obvious that unless something were done consciences would develop to an abnormal degree. I regret very much that the men cannot be released, as it would only lead to discrimination in favour of those who were not prepared to take up the burden that other men have taken up.—Yours faithfully, J. ALLEN, Minister of Defence.
This article shows how majority of society did actually see conscientious objectors as morally wrong as they were not prepared to fight for the country, and it was their moral duty to fight in war. The minister of Defence did not deem it acceptable to release the conscientious objectors out of imprisonment because they were not abiding to their patriotic duties as a New Zealander.
This is again an extract from a newspaper, and shows how society felt about conscientious objectors, this man didn't understand why someone would refuse to fight, he signs his name as a disgusted solider.
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