RELIGIOUS OBJECTIONS TO SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3059, 21 April 1917, Page 9

RELIGIOUS OBJECTIONS TO SERVICE

EXEMPTION: REFUSED. ' 'K religious objector came /before the Second Wellington _ Military Service Board yesterday, in the person of Hugh King, polish mixer, of Berhampore. King, who had been drawn in the ballot, 'stated that his religious beliefs would not allow him to bear arms. The Scriptures enjoined him to "mild as a dove," and. . ho_ could * not disregard' that injunction. Ho refused to be sworn, but consented to make an affirmation. "Do you belong to any religious sect?" asked the chairman of the board (Mr. J. W. Poynton). The appellant said that there were no sects in true Christianity. The chairman : Were you "Baptised in any sect? Appellant: We are all baptised in onei spirit and in one body. ■ The chairman: You Efnow what I mean. Don't quibble. Wore you baptised'as a member of a particular sect? Appellant: I was sprinkled. _ Ho added, in answer to further questions, thathis parenta had been Presbyterians. ■ The chairman said that the law made provision, for, religious objectors only in' .the'case of members of sects : 'the tenets of. which forbade the carrying of . arms..-;. There was 1 no power , to. .grant exemption in the present case.Appellant:'l am quite well aware of tlia : t r I hare been informed of that by letter. " : An appeal had been made by King's .employer, who stated in a letter that tho . 'man was performing 'important work, and could not be replaced without delay. The employer did■'not appear, and the appellant, when questioned by' the chairman regarding his work, said that he'objected to answering. , ' ■ r The' appeal was dismissed.