*3.15. Finding 15*

There were a few objectors from large Protestants churches who applied for exemption from military service. They include Wettenhall and Smalley.

Simon Wettenhall was a twenty year old from Armadale, VIC and a member of the Presbyterian Church (Peacemaker 1970a, p. 3). He probably startled the court when he offered an abstract symbolic oil painting as evidence of his Christian beliefs and his concern for moral issues. He was appealing the magistrate's decision granting him exemption from combatant duties only. In the County Court 6 November 1969, Simon told Judge Southwell that "his beliefs were based on the Bible, especially the Sermon on the Mount, where Christ taught *thou shalt not kill.* The judge upheld his appeal and granted him full exemption.

Douglas Smalley was also a Presbyterian from VIC. His was the first conscientious objector hearing 3 June 1965. Magistrate Murray asked Douglas about the beliefs of the Presbyterian Church rather that his own personal beliefs, casting doubt on his sincerity. Despite that he granted full exemption (Peacemaker 1965, p. 1; Daily News 1966b, p. 5).

#### *3.16. Finding 16*

Quakers were well represented amongst the Christian objectors but the Brethren, also a "peace church", were not.

David Jones was a Quaker from Glebe, NSW. He expressed a strong pacifist view of most Quakers in a letter to Minister Snedden February 1970 (Peacemaker 1970b, p. 7; 1970d, p. 2; 1971, p. 10). He gave his reasons for his non-compliance in not registering under the Act. He stated he had strong pacifist beliefs and that they were greatly influenced by the Quakers. He stated that he objected to military service of any kind which took human life and the use of war as a solution to misunderstandings and conflict between nations. He stated "these objections stem from belief both in the uniqueness of every individual and in a spirit or inner self which is part of every person-often spoken of by Quakers as *that of God in every man*. To take the life of another person denies the existence of this common spirit and prevents any possibility of creating understanding through this spirit, between persons on opposing sides of the conflict".

David also believed that the government did not have the right to conscript. He also made the point, common to non-compliers, when he said "were I to register as a conscientious objector I would be tacitly acknowledging the Governments right to conscript 20-year-old men for military service. For this same reason I would not be willing to accept alternative civilian service under the Act". That opportunity was not open to anyone at the time as the government refused on two occasions to introduce it, as was previously mentioned.

Noel Collett was a member of the Order of the Exclusive Brethren and had a difficult time in convincing three courts that he had a conscientious objection to killing (Peacemaker 1967a, p. 3). He was a farm labourer from Nambour, Queensland. His application for exemption from combatant duties was dismissed in the Court of Petty Sessions, and also the District Court in Brisbane. He appealed again to the Court of Petty Sessions but Magistrate Loane said he had no jurisdiction to hear a further application. Noel appealed to the High Court of Australia in August 1966 and in a split decision they decided Noel's beliefs at the time of the hearing was the relevant question for the court to consider (National Archives of Australia 1966b). Noel said his attitude had not changed but with further study of the scriptures it had strengthened his views. Magistrate Loan who now had jurisdiction to hear the case again granted Noel exemption from combatant duties.

#### *3.17. Finding 17*

Christadelphians and Church of God were also well represented among the Christian objectors.

Paul Schipper of Thebarton, South Australia was a Christadelphian (Peacemaker 1968b, p. 3). In a reserved judgement Magistrate Beerworth granted him full exemption from military service in Adelaide on 22 May 1968. Rodney Payton, also a Christadelphian, was from Western Australia (West Australian 1966, p. 16; Daily News 1966a, p. 18). Magistrate Blackwood granted him full exemption in the Perth court 31 May 1966. George Domazetis who belonged to the Church of God was also granted full exemption from Magistrate Bennett on 15 December 1966 (Peacemaker 1967a, p. 3). All had argued on the grounds of Christian pacifism.

It appears less difficult for men from the small denominations to convince a magistrate that they were sincere in their conscientious beliefs because of their strong pacifist teachings. Historically legal precedents had been established by the time of Vietnam
