The treatment of conscientious objectors by the New Zealand authorities illustrates how conformist New Zealand society was during this period of our history. This is why conscientious objection and conscription is a significant part to our history, as we can see how much New Zealand, as a nation, has changed. New Zealand was a conforming society of this period, where when conscription was introduced and the war broke out, many flocked to arms and enlisted to do their part to fight for 'King and country'. New Zealand society was jingoistic at this time, putting pressure on the nation to conform and follow orders. Young men who did not enlist were labelled shirkers and cowards by their own communities, and were strongly despised. By the time the war ended, 72,000 volunteers and 32,000 conscripts, a tenth of the total population, served overseas with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. They went to fight, and die, for King and country. Most saw it as their duty, and the best way to restore peace. Historian Stevan Eldred-Grigg states in his book, 'the government chose to keep fighting, stamped on many rights of citizens and ended by conscripting citizens into the army.' This post war stance, which was published in 2010, demonstrates a present day anti-war perspective. This more modern view was also held by conscientious objectors of the First World War, but it was not the perspective of the majority of New Zealand in this time. The protests of conscientious objectors as well as the death and destruction that was left behind after the war left many wondering whether this cost was worth what was gained, which was also a question asked by pacifists at the start of the war, but was not recognised among society in the 20th century. New Zealand's opinions towards war started to change due to the efforts of conscientious objectors, who's goal was to develop a society that was less accepting of violence, and many began to reflect on New Zealand's war efforts and the losses that occurred. Overtime, this change occurred over a long period as conscription was not strongly opposed in World War Two, but became significantly less supported during the Vietnam War until it was completely abolished soon after.
During the time of the First World War, New Zealand had a lack of tolerance for those who did not conform. The government saw that there was no room for people who opposed conscription or the war effort, as everyone had to do their bit for 'King and country' or else New Zealand was military vulnerable. New Zealand society was jingoistic in this time, there was a lot of pressure to conform. Because of this, when people did object there were negative reactions and harsh punishments put in place. Objectors were imprisoned, fined and publicly despised by their own communities. More punitive measures include fourteen men unwillingly being sent to the front line in France, for defiantly objecting violence and the war for pacifist and socialist reasons. The ideas of opposing violence and especially conscription were held firmly by the objectors before the war, but these ideals also spread through majority of New Zealand as many came to realise the control of movement it enforced as well as a severe loss in freedom of choice that conscription entailed. 100 years after the onset of World War One, the efforts of conscientious objectors are now recognised as an important detail on New Zealand war history, where they are now honoured in memorial celebrations as frequently as soldiers who volunteered. We can see how much times have changed, where there are now memorials in place for conscientious objectors, where as they were despised and punished in the time period of the First World War.
New Zealand was also very loyal to England during the First World War, which is significant as it shows how times have changed from this historical event to modern day New Zealand. Unlike other countries, conscientious objectors who refused to fight during the First World War, which was ultimately refusing to fight for the British Empire, were locked up and harshly punished, where punitive measures were enforced. New Zealand had quotas to fulfill, and were determined to help in order to create strong ties with the nation, which New Zealand wanted to emphasise. Until the 1960's New Zealand was still greatly connected with the monarchy, and had a strong sense of patriotism, however this had been dying off considerably from the end of the First World War. Although it still felt necessary to support the nation in the major wars, soldiers began to fight for New Zealand rather than for the British Empire. New Zealand, as a member of the commonwealth, continues to have strong ties to Britain and would still continue to support them in acts of war, but the relationship is no longer so strong, that as a nation we would force people to go to war in order to help protect the British homeland.
This historical event was significant to the pacifist movement as it paved the way for future changes in societal views, which has helped New Zealand to becoming more accepting of alternative view points and also has helped to shape the basis of New Zealand and its relatively peaceful existence in the world. New Zealand now recognises conscientious objectors just as frequently as those men who volunteered for service. It is this change in attitude over time that has allowed the protests of conscientious objectors to become a significant aspect of New Zealand history. Modern society now greatly believes in freedom of choice, and are strongly against compulsion in any form. Journalist Ian Harris suggested in the 25th April 2014 issue of The Otago Daily Times that 'perhaps it is time to remember also the scared upon scores of ordinary citizens who suffered great hardship for exercising freedom of conscience by objecting to war,' helping to show this modern view point. However this view was not one that was shared among men and women of the 20th Century, but has instead developed over time. Men such as Baxter and Briggs are now respected greatly in modern society, where their bravery in standing up against military power has changed societal views, making New Zealand society more accepting of a wider range of opinions and choices.
During the time of the First World War, New Zealand had a lack of tolerance for those who did not conform. The government saw that there was no room for people who opposed conscription or the war effort, as everyone had to do their bit for 'King and country' or else New Zealand was military vulnerable. New Zealand society was jingoistic in this time, there was a lot of pressure to conform. Because of this, when people did object there were negative reactions and harsh punishments put in place. Objectors were imprisoned, fined and publicly despised by their own communities. More punitive measures include fourteen men unwillingly being sent to the front line in France, for defiantly objecting violence and the war for pacifist and socialist reasons. The ideas of opposing violence and especially conscription were held firmly by the objectors before the war, but these ideals also spread through majority of New Zealand as many came to realise the control of movement it enforced as well as a severe loss in freedom of choice that conscription entailed. 100 years after the onset of World War One, the efforts of conscientious objectors are now recognised as an important detail on New Zealand war history, where they are now honoured in memorial celebrations as frequently as soldiers who volunteered. We can see how much times have changed, where there are now memorials in place for conscientious objectors, where as they were despised and punished in the time period of the First World War.
New Zealand was also very loyal to England during the First World War, which is significant as it shows how times have changed from this historical event to modern day New Zealand. Unlike other countries, conscientious objectors who refused to fight during the First World War, which was ultimately refusing to fight for the British Empire, were locked up and harshly punished, where punitive measures were enforced. New Zealand had quotas to fulfill, and were determined to help in order to create strong ties with the nation, which New Zealand wanted to emphasise. Until the 1960's New Zealand was still greatly connected with the monarchy, and had a strong sense of patriotism, however this had been dying off considerably from the end of the First World War. Although it still felt necessary to support the nation in the major wars, soldiers began to fight for New Zealand rather than for the British Empire. New Zealand, as a member of the commonwealth, continues to have strong ties to Britain and would still continue to support them in acts of war, but the relationship is no longer so strong, that as a nation we would force people to go to war in order to help protect the British homeland.
This historical event was significant to the pacifist movement as it paved the way for future changes in societal views, which has helped New Zealand to becoming more accepting of alternative view points and also has helped to shape the basis of New Zealand and its relatively peaceful existence in the world. New Zealand now recognises conscientious objectors just as frequently as those men who volunteered for service. It is this change in attitude over time that has allowed the protests of conscientious objectors to become a significant aspect of New Zealand history. Modern society now greatly believes in freedom of choice, and are strongly against compulsion in any form. Journalist Ian Harris suggested in the 25th April 2014 issue of The Otago Daily Times that 'perhaps it is time to remember also the scared upon scores of ordinary citizens who suffered great hardship for exercising freedom of conscience by objecting to war,' helping to show this modern view point. However this view was not one that was shared among men and women of the 20th Century, but has instead developed over time. Men such as Baxter and Briggs are now respected greatly in modern society, where their bravery in standing up against military power has changed societal views, making New Zealand society more accepting of a wider range of opinions and choices.