DEFENCE ACT.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19691, 7 August 1929, Page 4

DEFENCE ACT.

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS TIMARU PRESBYTERY'S ATTITUDE. <*!>BCUZ. TO TH> PUSS.) TIMARU. August 6. The present system of military training and the Government's attitude towards conscientious objectors were discussed at the monthly meeting of the Timaru Presbytery this morning. The Rev. C. G. Wilcox, convener of the Presbytery's Public Questions Committee, brought up the matter of the conscientious objectors, the Presbytery unanimously deciding to discuss the question in committee. On resuming '"n open meeting, Mr Wilcox moved, and the Rev. W. F. N'ichol seconded:— "The Presbytery of Timaru hereby resolves that, in the matter of military training and all other public service and relations to the State, it be respectfully pointed out that the Presby terian Church has always stood and still stands emphatically for the rights of the individual conscience The Presbytery therefore supports the Assembly's Public Qnestions Committee in «ts appa il:— "(1) That exemption be granted to all persons whose conscientious objections to military service are certified b.v trustworthy witnesses, without discrimination between denominations. "(2) That alternative non-military service be prescribed as provided by the Act.

That in view of the admission that the penalties imposed on Richards and Miller rested on an unduly harsh interpretation of the Act, his Excellency the Governor-General be respectfully approached with a view to the exercise of his prerogative in reviewins the sentences. "The Presbytery furthermore emphasises the loyalty of the Church, and disassociates itself from any claim that any particular servant or member of the Church should be exempted from military service except upon t'nr grounds of their individual conscientious objections '* The motion was carried unanimously, and it was decided to forward a copy to the Prime Minister. The Rev. P. Gladstone Hughes then nioved:— "That thi? Presbytery urges upon the Assembly's Public Questions Committee the desirability of appealing to all members and adherents of '.he Presbyterian Church to use every con stitutional means to secure the repeal of the comou'siry clauses of the Hp. fence Act on the grounds that oompnl sorv military training is contrary to the whole trend of British senti ment and oolicy: (b) fosters and encourages the spirit which has already f>ronorht civilisation to the rerv venre of destruction; and (c) is diametrically oono«jed to the Chnrch's deener understanding of the Mind and Spirit of Christ." Sneakine to his motion. Mr Rushes a sweenins condemnation of th»» ni ; lit«rv traiVne system, in the of which he described it as absolutely futile and a waste of time and money cr; 9 yipws were annnr>»-t(H b v Moderator (the Tfev. H. R Fell), who ''eclnred thnt the nresent system of "TVi-rit^ri"' training was of abvilntolv no use in actnnl warfare. Mr FpII snoke from peroonal exoerience. havbeen jn active service Tb» motion was carried. Messrs Flail *nd Find!*y dissenting Tt was decided to send « c°P v nf .the resolution to! tbt> Assembly's Public Questions Committee.