Peter Fraser’s trial in the Wellington Magistrates’ Court was the sequel to a speech in which he attacked the government’s policy of military conscription.
Conscientious Objection
Events In History
Articles
First World War - overview
Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and his wife Sophie were assassinated in the Bosnian city of Sarajevo. This was a key event in sparking the Great War of 1914–18. Read the full article
Page 5 - The war at home
New Zealand played a small but useful part in the British Empire's war effort, and its essential war aim was achieved with the defeat of Germany and its allies in late 1918. New
Māori and the First World War
Māori reactions to serving in the First World War largely reflected iwi experiences of British actions in the 19th century. Read the full article
Page 3 - Māori objection to conscription
Māori served in the First World War in the Maori Contingent. At home, some Māori strongly opposed
Conscientious objection and dissent
There are always supporters and opponents of a country fighting a war. Over 2500 conscientious objectors lost their civil rights in New Zealand for refusing to serve in the First World War. Read the full article
Page 1 - Conscientious objection and dissent in the First World War
There are always supporters and opponents of a country fighting a war. Over 2500 conscientious objectors lost their civil rights in New Zealand for refusing to serve in the First
New Zealanders who resisted the First World War
Lists of men who for a variety of reasons refused to serve in the First World War. Read the full article
Page 1 - New Zealanders who resisted the First World War
Lists of men who for a variety of reasons refused to serve in the First World
Page 2 - Imprisoned conscientious objectors, 1916-1920
A database of individuals imprisoned for rejecting military service during the First World
Biographies
Peter Fraser, New Zealand’s wartime PM, led the nation for nine years. Respected rather than loved like Savage, many experts rate him our finest PM.
Wilhelmina Bain was a feminist and peace activist who gained notoriety for her outspoken views against New Zealand’s participation in the South African War.
Ormond Burton was a Methodist minister and prominent pacifist who developed anti-war views after serving in the First World War.
Archibald Baxter's memoir, We will not cease, is a powerful account of dissent and its consequences, and has become a classic of New Zealand literature.
Main image: Rotoaira prison and conscientious objectors
Rotoaira Prison, where imprisoned objectors worked on road-building in the inhospitable Rangipō district south of Lake Taupō.
