The paper contains a summary of the replies to the circular sent by the Minister in March last to the local bodies in the dominion asking for suggestions on the question.
The local bodies were invited in the circular to make suggestions as to the nature of work that would be most suitable for the objectors, and also whether they would provide work and assist in the administration.
The return shows that 32 local bodies forwarded replies to the effect that they were in favour of alternative service for religious and conscientious objectors.
One body, the Bay of Islands County Council, stated that it was not in favour of exemption on conscientious grounds.
Several bodies did not reply ''yes''or ''no'', and whilst some of these made recommendations, others had no suggestions to offer.
Amongst the suggested methods of employing the objectors are quarry and road works, cooking and fatigue work at camps, town planning and beautifying schemes, afforestation, eradication of noxious weeds, and ambulance work.
The Hobson County Council expresses the opinion that no exemptions should be allowed to conscientious objectors, whilst the Westland Council thinks that objectors should be deported or lose their civic rights or be put in gaol.
The Mosgiel Borough Council suggests that the objectors ''should not be eligible for any position in the civil service or allowed to take part in land ballots, and should be disfranchised''.
The Waitemata County considers that ''no objectors should be allowed''.
The Coromandel County Council recommends that the objectors should be employed in ''cooking or general rouseabout work''.
In the course of a discussion that followed the presentation of the return, Mr A. M. Myers said that he had very little sympathy with any man who had conscientious scruples in regard to military training.
It was quite clear that these objectors were now very glad to have the benefit of military protection.
• According to a statement made by Dr Schultz, ex-Governor of Samoa, who landed in Auckland as a prisoner of war, the taking of Samoa was far from being a surprise.
The capture had been expected for days when the troops actually arrived. In the course of an interview Dr Schultz smilingly pointed out that the task of the Expeditionary Force was not a hazardous one.
He had been told that in New Zealand reports had gained credence that there were a thousand white people in Samoa.
As a matter of fact the total white population, men, women, and children, including German, English, French, and Danish settlers, was not more than 500, while there are some 30,000 natives.
Asked whether the visit of the Expeditionary Force was expected, Dr Schultz replied in the affirmative, and volunteered the information that the authorities in Samoa were apprised of the coming of the New Zealanders by the simple means of tapping wireless messages.
Samoa possessed a powerful wireless station, and they were thus able to intercept messages from the troopships.
''We realised from the very outset,'' continued Dr Schultz, ''that surrender was inevitable, because of the primitive defences of the place. Our forces consisted of 20 soldiers and special constables, and our fortifications of one gun.''
This was religiously fired every Saturday afternoon, and took half an hour to load. Our only other defensive weapons were 50 rifles of an 1871 pattern.'' - ODT, 18.9.1914.
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