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REPOBT. The Joint Defence Legislation Committee has considered the various matters enumerated below, referred to it by the Honourable the Minister of Defence, has taken evidence thereon, and has the honour to report as follows : — 1. Conscientious Objectors. —The Committee recommends the Government to consider the advisability of placing religious and conscientious objectors on the same footing, and of allowing exemption from military service to both these classes of objectors, on their application to a Magistrate, provided that, they agree to give adequate alternative service. 2. Alter native Service. —The Committee is of opinion— (a.) That the supervision and the control of such alternative service should be by the Civil authorities. (b.) That such alternative service should, in point of time and personal attendance, be equivalent, as nearly as possible, to the compulsory military service required under the Defence Act. (c.) That persons rendering alternative service which involves their going into camp or residing away from home for any period should receive remuneration as nearly as possible equivalent to the amount payable for a like period in camp under compulsory military service. (d.) That such alternative service should take the form of some work for the public benefit. 3. Punishment. —The Committee recommends that persons failing to render military service or alternative service (as the case may be), or who commit any breach of the Defence Act or of regulations made thereunder (except breaches in the course of the actual performance of military duties), should be dealt with and be punished by the civil Courts. 4. Military Camps. —The Committee recommends that the Government be requested to consider the advisability of limiting or of eliminating altogether the evening parades and the half-day parades for the members of any corps in which it may be found desirable, and of substituting increased attendance at camp in lieu thereof. Chas. E. Statham, Thursday, the 11th day of December, 1913. Chairman.