MILITARY TRAINING.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 59, 8 March 1912, Page 2

MILITARY TRAINING.

IS THE DEFENCE ACT DESIRABLE? WHAT LEADING METHODISTS THINK. Is military training desirable? was the momentous quesucn the Methodist Conference set itself to answer to-day. The Rev. J. W. Burton, of New Plymouth., introduced the matter by moving the following motion;— That we, the ministers and delegates of the Methodist Church of New Zealand, hereby pUnse on record our earnest desire for peac* between nations, and the establishment of arbitration as the only rational and just method of settling international disputes, and we hereby pledge ourselves to employ every legitimate means to advance the cause of the brotherhood of the human race and the abolition of race hatred between civilised people. Farther, we view with alarm the growing tendencies towards militarism as embodied in recent legislation, so contrary to the teaching and example of Christ, and we emphatically condemn the Compulsory Military Training Act of 1909, and pledge ourselves to work far its repeal. We hereby convey to our Methodist brethren in all countries out heartfelt longing for the peaceful settlement of all immediate differences, and assure them of our Christian love, and we trust that the true Christian spirit will govern our relationships in the future."

Mr. Burton said it was a very, very great subject, but it -was one that was troubling th» whole world to-day. He was not a faddist. He did not "belong to a peace society,or an anti-militarist society. He was moving the resolution because he was satisfied in his own mind •that they must do their best to bring about universal peace. Each man must test the matter according to his own light, and it was his own firm belief that the world was growing into God's sunlight, and the time was coming when they would be as ashamed of a rifle as the Fijian was ashamed of a cannibal. To-day war was almost impossible, because of the great capitalist system, and it seemed that God was working through some silent agency that knew not of Hit will. Then there was the great co-opera-tion of Labour, which was tremendously in favour of peace. On the great principle of war let them thank God that there was a growing feeling that war was wrong. If he was conscientiously satisfied thai military training was wrong, why should he be foroed to send his boy to be train ed? Ke thought that the cottipukon clauses should not apply to people who had such conscientious objections. Provision was made for the Quaker, but il personally he had honest objection t« training, was he not as much entitled to ' consideration as the Quaker ? Their own boys—boys from the Sunday-schools-were being sent to gaol for refusing to train. Some people called them cowards for refusing to train, but it took a brave man to "turn the other cheek."* As regards the middle pan of his motion, that might not find favour with Hie Conference as a whole, but he tsought there would not be a great deal of opposition to the sentiments regarding compulsory military training. (Applause.) The Rev. Mr Will* seconded. The Hon. G. J. Smith, M- T »C. who i* Officer Commanding the Ist Canterbury Infantry Regiment, said he wished to pay t tribute to the fair-minded manner in ; which Mr Burton had treated his subject. If the opponents of militarism were all as reasonable they would proj>ably get on a great deal better. He bad a somewhat difficult task in moving an amendment. Mr Burton had introduced a note into the discussion that he had scarcely expected—that of personal bravery and sympathy, and the actual teaching of Christ as far as war was concerned. He did not think that in the whole of the military camps in New Zealand would they find five men who would support war. The Government bad power to force men to train, but if they did not want to fight abroad there was no one in this country who could compel them to do so. This being so, where Was the aggression? Be believed the ultimate solution would Be International arbitration, but they bad to take the position as they found it. The world was not yet ready for international arbitration. As far as discipline was concerned, he believed that it would be of benefit to many of our youths to hawe a little more discipline. (Hear, near.) The whole principle throagnont the Act was one of defence of tbe Dominion, and undrelying it was physical training and the inculcation of habits and discipline.

"T have had a good deal to do with young fellows in camp, both here and at Home," continued Mr. Surith, " and I can honestly say that the majority of New Zealasders are amenable to reasonable discipline. What more do you want than reasonable discipline T The Commandant, General Godley, at the present time is inrtilhag into has officers tha fact that everything possible most "be done for the lads, both physically sad morally. If the people only knew General Godley as some of the officri know him, they would realise what a splendid man we have got at the head of the Department." Mr. Smith cemdudad by appealing to the conference- to give the system a fair trial, and if tins was done there would be no difficulty at nil. He moved, as an amendment: "That, while deploring the necessity for a defence force in New Zealand, this conference commends the principle of universal training as the most equitable way of supplying Bach a defence force." The luncheon interrupted the debate. On resuming, the discussion was continued. „ It was suggested that Mr. Burton should propose the ieeond paragraph as a separate motion, and Mr. Burtor ■areed to this. (Prooeoding.)