Rastafarian Bermuda Regiment Private Brian Harvey should do his time as a soldier, according to people surveyed by The Royal Gazette yesterday.

Pte. Harvey hit the headlines after he had to be handcuffed to get the regulation Regiment cut at Boot Camp.

He claimed his Rastafarian beliefs precluded service in the armed forces.

The reluctant rookie has since been recognised as a conscientious objector by a Defence Department tribunal.

And the matter has been turned over to the Governor for a final decision on whether Pte. Harvey should be discharged from the Regiment or forced to serve in a non-combatant role like a cook or stores clerk.

But office junior Roche m Wolffe, 18, of Pembroke, said even Rastafarians should do their duty for their Country.

She said: "I think they should serve in the Regiment -- anyone else who doesn't have locks has to, why shouldn't they? "It's not fair if they pick one young boy and he has to join and another young boy who doesn't.'' Ms Wolffe was backed by accountant Karen Mason, 31, of Warwick.

Ms Mason said if a soldier had a particular hair style because of religious beliefs, that could be grounds for exemption.

But she added: "Rastafarianism isn't really a type of religion -- it's just a look and it's impractical for being a soldier. He should do his service.'' Lawyer Michael Scott, 46, said religious freedom should be accepted in the Regiment in the context of organised religious bodies.

But he added: "Everybody must fall into the discipline, including loss of hair. There shouldn't be an exception for some religions. He is in the Regiment and he must go along with the discipline.'' A middle-aged woman, who asked not to be named, said: "He should do his duty -- discipline is needed in this Country.'' The Rastafarian faith, founded in the 1930s in Jamaica, interprets the Old Testament in terms of slavery and the black struggle against white domination.

Rastafarians venerate Haile Selassie, former ruler of Ethiopia.

Pte. Harvey's stance, however, won some support -- including a vote of approval from a former conscript in the Austrian Army.

Massage therapist Charlie Sternath, 43, of Paget, did national service in his homeland.

He said: "If he is really a Rastafarian and a haircut is in conflict with his beliefs, then he should have his rights.'' But he added: "Now he's had his hair cut off he should do it -- and, of course, anybody could say he was a Rastafarian.'' And Mr. Sternath said: "I did six months in the Austrian Army and I tried to get out of it. It was a pain in the neck.'' Former Regiment soldier Michael Robinson, 22, of Pembroke, now sports dreadlocks.

He said: "If his religion is Rastafarianism, they don't really go for all that violence. He shouldn't be made to serve.

"Personally, I think your hair shouldn't matter anyway if you are expected to serve in a war. It's a silly rule.'' And Lucy Attride-Stirling, whose pacifist lawyer son Rod won his private battle to stay out of the Regiment and who now represents Pte. Harvey, said there should be no compulsion to serve in the armed forces at all.

Mrs. Attride-Stirling, 56, of Devonshire, added: "Regiment service should be entirely optional.'' LUCY Attride-Stirling Karen Mason Michael Robinson Michael Scott Charlie Sternath Roche Wolffe