Reasons why Conscientious Objectors Refused to Fight
Reasons for opposing conscription was varied, there were people who objected to service for socialist, Christian and ethical ideas about the war but they all had the fundamental beliefs that war was morally wrong.
There were five main reasons for conscientious objections in New Zealand
1. Religious Pacifists
2. Socialists
3. Irish Republicans
4. Maori Objectors
5. Moral Objection
Many men believed in war but not all, small minorities of religious, socialist and humanitarian anti-militarists were against compulsory military training, the groups believed it militarised youth and denied civil liberties. Militant opposition was strongest on the West Coast and in Christchurch. Socialists took over council in Runanga and didn’t comply with the act resulting in few youths drilled there nor did they comply with compulsory military training in other mining towns.
A national register in 1915 said some 819 men classified themselves as religious conscientious objectors and 260 as political. Many appeals by objectors failed and nearly all were imprisoned. Some fled to the hills and some went overseas.
Text announcing requirement to enroll, and the consequences of failure to do so
http://digitalnz.org.nz/records/22408530
There were five main reasons for conscientious objections in New Zealand
1. Religious Pacifists
2. Socialists
3. Irish Republicans
4. Maori Objectors
5. Moral Objection
Many men believed in war but not all, small minorities of religious, socialist and humanitarian anti-militarists were against compulsory military training, the groups believed it militarised youth and denied civil liberties. Militant opposition was strongest on the West Coast and in Christchurch. Socialists took over council in Runanga and didn’t comply with the act resulting in few youths drilled there nor did they comply with compulsory military training in other mining towns.
A national register in 1915 said some 819 men classified themselves as religious conscientious objectors and 260 as political. Many appeals by objectors failed and nearly all were imprisoned. Some fled to the hills and some went overseas.
Text announcing requirement to enroll, and the consequences of failure to do so
http://digitalnz.org.nz/records/22408530