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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington N.Z. Vol. 3, No. 6

Mr. Hislop Says ..

Mr. Hislop Says ...

That the tribunal appointed to inquire into the sincerity of [unclear: conccientious] objectors should start with a conviction that there is no such thing as a conscientious objector. This should not be an immoveable conviction, but there should be this prima facie assumption in each case. It is right to respect the convictions of a C.O. if they are sincere, but it is difficult to find out who is sincere. It must be made impossible for anyone who is not sincere, but nerely cowardly, to make this an excuse not to do his duty.

The tribunal must be composed of men who have a broad outlook on life—the judicial, mind is perhaps too narrow—and, most important of all, they must have a thorough knowledge of life.

A [unclear: study]; of a man's: past- life should, provide at insist into the [unclear: sincerity] his views. In general if a man claims exemption on religious grounds while his church permits or, even [unclear: exhort its members] to fight against Nazidem his claims may not be admitted.

There will be men, however who are sincere [unclear: iii] disagreeing with, their church on this point; but to their case it will be more than over necessary to inquire into the morality and public [unclear: spiritedness] of their past life.

There should be no appeal from the decision of the tribunal. No useful purpose could be served by any such right. This Investigation of the tribunal would be as searching and as fair as possible in the first instance.

Cases should be given full publicity in the press, [unclear: since t[gap — reason: illegible]] is would probably serve as an [unclear: deterrent] against those who were [unclear: not sincere].

A C.O. should be willing to serve as a stretcher bearer or in some other humanitarian capacity. Mr. [unclear: Hislop] would say with Edith Cavell that to help suffering people was more than patriotism.

* * * * * * * *

Student

Anyone who has a copy of the third issue of "[unclear: Student]," Prep Discussions Club publication of 1933, and who would be [unclear: willing] to donate it to the V.U.C. Library, is asked to leave same with The Librarian, V.U.C.