CHURCH AND WAR

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19480, 29 November 1928, Page 15

CHURCH AND WAR

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS. QUESTION OF SERVICE. PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY'S DECISION. [THE PRESS Special Service,] AUCKLAND, November 28. The most highly controversial matter the Presbyterian Assembly has had before it in its present sessions was reached last evening when the Rev. Dr. Gibb presented the report of the Public Questions Committee. Two matters dealt with were compulsory military training and the rights of conscientious objectors, and a manifesto on the subject of peace. The conscientious objectors referred to were A. M. Richards and other Aueklanders whose cases have been prominently before the public. Dr. Gibb submitted the following motion: — "That this Assenibly reaffirm the resolution of the last Assembly regarding military training and the rights of conscience, approve the action of the Committee in supporting the claims of Messrs Richards, Byrt, and Miller for exemption, and instruct the Committee to continue its efforts to obtain the ruling of the Goveruor-in-Council regarding an alternative form of service for conscientious objectors." The Rev. W. McLean, of Oamaru, immediately rose to ask that the resolution should be divided into three parts. Dr. ■ Gibb evsntually agreed to make it two, the first part ending at "rights of conscience." Mr McLean warmly condemned as "unfair and improper," Dr. Gibb's reference to the resolution as having been carried unanimously by the last Assembly. Further intervention by Mr McLean, on what proved afterwards to be a mutual misunderstanding, led Dr. Gibb to exclaim: "I shall Btep down from the rostrum and leave the House if there is any more of this." A rebuke from the Moderator, who said quietly, "You must leave the control of the meeting to me," was warmly applauded. Dr. Gibb's motion was seconded by the Rev. J. D. Smith, of Manaia, veteran chaplain of the Church. The Rev. D. Dutton said that if no one else was going to speak against the motion he certainly would. It was altogether a mistake for the Assembly to take up the position of dictating to the State the form of military service. They must either abolish their military forces altogether or see to it that they were efficient. The only efficient form of military service in this country was its existing system. Mr Coleman, of Hawera, asked if there was a Church in the world that owed more to the sword than did theirs. They should be the last to raise their voices against the Defence Act. If a man felt he could not render military service he should think twice before seeking to enter the ministry of their

Church. Those ministers wck going to teach children and what would they put iu their minds?

The belief that a very serious mistake had been made by" the Assembly in pronouncing against compulsory military service was expressed by the Hon. Mr Gow.

The Rev. Dr. Erwin, of Christchurch, said that disarmament could come only by mutual compact among the nations, and that had not been reached. The debate was closed and Dr. Gibb's motion was declared carried bv 99 votes to 60.

Dr. Gibb then brought forward the second part of the resolution approving the action of the Committee in supporting the claims of Richards and others. It had seemed to the Committee, he said, that the authorities in this matter were regarding the decisions of the Church with indifference and, indeed, with contempt. The Committee was so much convinced of the justice of the claims of these young men that they sent him to Auckland to take what steps he thought fit to vindicate not only the rights of these young men, but also the honour and standing of the Church. On arrival in Auckland he learned a very significant thing—that on the very morning of the prosecution of young Richards a telegram was received from the Minister for Defence that the prosecution was withdrawn. The authorities had evidently become aware that they were driving the Church into a position of antagonism to the whole military system. The young men had been, and still were, anxious and willing to enter on any kind of service prescribed by the proper authority. The present situation was most unsatisfactory. These young men had been left alone, and there had been no prosecution, and it was clear the authorities recognised that moral right was on their side. The honour of the Church was involved in standing by them.

The Rev. W. McLean said he opposed the motion, although he had supported the previous one. These particular men had caused a good deal of trouble to the local Presbytery. They were immature young men who had not considered the question from all points of view, and they were under the influence of an older man. He lost confidence in the conscientious objector when he refused all service. In reply to a question Dr. Gibbs said the young men were willing to assist in making roads or unloading fruit ships, or any non-military public service. Mr Logan, of Rang'iora, moved that the second part of the motion, instructing the Committee to continue should be deleted. The matter should now be allowed to drop. The voting on the amendment was very even, and Dr. Gibb agreed to accept the amendment. His motion was carried on the voices.

FOR PEACE. MANIFESTO ADOPTED. DIFFICULT PROBLEM SOLVED. [THE PRESS Special Service.] AUCKLAND, November 28. The clear pronouncement on the subject of peace unanimously adopted by the Jerusalem Missionary Conference last Easter provided the Presbyterian Assembly with a happy solution of a somewhat difficult problem that confronted it. The Assembly was divided regarding the wording of a peace manifesto submitted by the Rev. Dr. James Gibb, of Wellington, but the Jerusalem statement won practically unanimous acceptance and with the necessary verbal alterations was adopted by the Assembly as its own. The statement "summons all who share in the world-wide Christian Mission to unremitting prayer and effort to secure (1) the renunciation of war as an instrument of national policy; (2) the adoption of peaceful methods for the settlement of all international differences; (3) and a change of those attitudes and practices which constitute the roots of war." As convener of the Public Questions Committee, Dr. Gibb moved the adoption of a lengthy peace manifesto originally prepared by the representative Union Committee in Wellington. Dr. Gibb assured the Assembly that the manifesto was not a pacifist one. It was a claim that the Church in the name of its Master should take the lead in endeavouring to secure the peace of the world. An overture from the Auckland Presbytery asking for the appointment of a special committee to consult with the Public Questions Committee with a view to eliminating the controversial clauses of the manifesto was supported by the Rev. W. Lawson Marsh, of Devonport. Mr Marsh nominated a large committee of ministers and elders in the terms of his overture.

On the ground that the setting up of .the committee would serve no good purpose and that it would have no chance of reaching unanimity, the Rev. D. C. Herron supported the motion. He read the pronouncement unanimously adopted by the International Missionary Council" representing 51 different nations at Jerusalem, and said it was as near as possible to this peace manifesto. Dr. Erwin said that in the document read by Mr Herron there was an avoidance of such phrases as "utterly opposed to the mind of Christ." Apparently some of the Committee did not understand the force of that language. If a thing was utterly opposed to the mind of Christ then m no circumstances could they do it. Dr. Gibb thought he was in the secret of the Almighty and could interpret His mind. The Assembly was convulsed with laughter, which increased as Dr. Gibb rose to protest. "I ask you, sir, if it is appropriate language." said Dr. Gibb. "It is utterly unbecoming." The Moderator recalled that there was a verse about a Prophet being in the secret counsel of God. "Moderator, 1 insist on your ruling," persisted Dr. Gibb. "Allow me to say I won't rule," was the Moderator's decisive response amid loud applause. "I think that a remark of that kind, made as it was, is not one that anyone should take to heart." (Applause.) Dr. Erwin said that if the document had been couched in the language of the Jerusalem resolution there would not have been any opposition to it. (Applause.) The Rev. Dr. E. N. Merrington, of Dunedin, deplored the bitterness of feelins; that this subject aroused. Why should they not align themselves with that noble and well-considered document of the Jerusalem Conference to which they could all subscribe without any reservation whatever? (Applause.) Mr Mars!, sid he would withdraw if Dr. Merrington was given an opportunity to move the Jerusalem resolution.

This was done, and Dr. Merrington. moved that with a suitable change in terms the Assembly should adopt as its peace manifesto the peace resolution of the Jerusalem Conference and commend it to the sister Churches of the Dominion. When a vote was taken on Dr. Herrington's motion it was carried by an overwhelming majority, Dr. Gibbs's voice and one other being the only ones heard against it.