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Ormond Burton

Ormond Burton was a Methodist minister and prominent pacifist who developed anti-war views after serving in the First World War.

Ormond Burton was born and raised in Auckland. Central to his young life was his religious education, through which he became a strong public speaker and debater, as well as an unwavering Christian. After secondary school he attended Auckland Training College, and by 1913 he was sole-charge teaching at Waimana Sawmill School in the Bay of Plenty.

Ormond Burton, 1921
Image of prominent pacifist Ormond Burton, probably taken in 1921 when he graduated with an MA from Auckland University College
Censored letter from a conscientious objector
The last page of a censored letter sent from conscientious objector Merv Browne at Hautu Dentention Camp to Marjorie Clark, his future wife.
Wilhelmina Bain

Wilhelmina Sherriff Bain was a feminist and peace activist who gained notoriety for her outspoken views against New Zealand’s participation in the South African War. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1848, her family immigrated to New Zealand in 1858 where they chose to settle in Invercargill.

Peter Fraser
Peter Fraser was prime minister of New Zealand during the Second World War and minister in charge of the Maori war effort from April 1943.
Te Puea Herangi
This photograph of Tainui–Waikato leader Te Kirihaehae Te Puea Herangi was taken about 1938.
Military Service Act 1916
This poster announces the requirement to enrol in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and the consequences of failure to do so.
Archibald Baxter's 'We will not cease' cover
Cover of We will not cease: the autobiography of a conscientious objector by Archibald Baxter First published in 1939 by Victor Gollanez, this 1968 edition is by Caxton Press, and it includes an additional foreword by the author. See the full text on the NZ Electronic Text Centre website. 
Maori objection - conscientious objection in the First World War
Maori served in the First World War in the Native Contingent. At home, there was some strong Maori opposition to conscription.
Pacifist objection - conscientious objection in the First World War
Pacifists and Christian socialists opposed the war on moral or religious grounds.
Socialist objection - conscientious objection in the First World War
Many socialist and labour leaders criticised the First World War as an imperialist war and strongly opposed conscription. New Zealand workers, they argued, had no quarrel with German workers.
Military Service Act - conscientious objection in the First World War
The Military Service Act 1916 allowed limited exemption from service. Men who were exempted had to be prepared to provide alternative non-combatant service in New Zealand or overseas.
Conscientious objection 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 World War.
Future PM Fraser charged with sedition
Peter Fraser's trial at the Wellington Magistrates' Court was the sequel to an anti-conscription speech. A number of union leaders were charged with the same crime. Fraser was convicted and served 12 months in gaol.
Conscientious Objectors at Hautu Detention Camp, 1943
Conscientious objectors, behind a barbed wire fence at Hautu Detention Camp, November 1943
Barrington's 'peace caravan'
Merle Hyland and Archibald Charles Barrington stand beside the 'Peace Caravan', a car covered in anti-war slogans, c.1946. Barrington was a prominent peace campaigner and wartime conscientious objector.
Archie Barrington discusses conscientious objection
Interview with prominent conscientious objector, Archibald Barrington
Wilhelmina Sherriff Bain
Wilhelmina Sherriff Bain was one of a few feminists vehemently opposed to the South African War.
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