The debate on the Military Service Bill was resumed on
Wednesday. In regard to the conscientious objector, Mr. Bonar Law stated that the right of exemption on the ground of conscience did not mean that a man had only to say " My conscience says so," and thus get off. The Government wished to follow the Australian precedent as to persons with Quaker views about fighting. Mr. Boner Law concluded by saying that the Government proposed to accept in a modified form an amendment in the names of the Members for Leeds and Hud- dersfield. This was to the effect that, in the case of an applica- tion on conscientious grounds, the certificate of exemption might take the form of exemption from combatant duties only;
or may be conditional on the applicant being engaged in some work which in the opinion of the kcal tribunal is of national importance."
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