MILITARY SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 303, 20 December 1913, Page 10

MILITARY SERVICE.

A QUAKER DEPUTATION. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday. Representatives of tlie Society of Friends in New Zealand waited on the Prime Minister and the Minister for Defence to-day to present a memorial adopted by a representative meeting of the society in London. The memorial expressed deep regret that associates of the society had been fined for non-regis-tration and refusal to drill, and pleaded that there should be no compulsion of conscience, no interference by the soldier with civil government, education, or parental control. The deputation desired to know whether, as suggested by tbe Parliamentary Committee, the Government would legislate and administer the Defence Act on a broad basis meeting the conscience of all. There had also been serious possibilities of interference with education by the military authorities, and it was desired to protest against any such action. With regard to the memorial. Mr Alassey said he could not allow citizens of another country to interfere with the legislation of the Dominion or with the administration of the law. Tbe proposals of the Defence Committee were in the direction of providing for the conscientious objectors, and though he was not in a position to say what Parliament would do next session, he believed something more should be done to help conscientious objectors. The Government proposed to administer the law of tbe country in regard to compulsory training in strict compliance with its spirit. Mr Massey added: "We propose to stand by the spirit of the Act. The people of this country and their representatives in Parliament have come to the conclusion that we must get into a position to defend ourselves if the necessity should arise."

He assured tbe deputation that be was strongly impressed with the fact that a huge majority of the New Zealand people intended to keep the Act on the Statute Book.

The. Hon. Jas. Allen pointed- ont that the Act was a Military Act. but the preliminary stages were civic stages. H possible" something would be done next session dealing with conscientious objectors. It was not right that any young fellow should be let off service without making an equivalent sacrifice, and the problem he had to solve was what alternative service should be provided. In this he asked the deputation .to help ,'iim, for he could not let such men oil altogether. The churches in the. Dominion reported, through the chaplains, that the effect of the camps on the young men had been good.