WELLINGTON PRESBYTERY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 273, 12 August 1920, Page 5

WELLINGTON PRESBYTERY

DISCUSSION ON MLITAIiY SERVICE PROPOSALS. A meeting of the Wellington Presbytery was held at St. Andrew's Ohtirch on Tues-. day, the Kev. W. Day (Moderator) psesiding. A report .was received with regard to a request made to the Government that members should bo allowed-to board immigrant vessels on arrival in Wellington, for the purpose of affording assistance to tho passengers. 'I'lieHon. W. Nosworthy had not committed himself in any way, and no answer had yet been received from him. A diacußsion took place on the military service proposals. Tile Eov. W. J. Comrie moved that tho Presbytery express its strong opposition to the proposals which have been made by the Government lor military training, and urge that they should be dropped or greatly modified. He also moved that tho I'reshytery should submit: (1) That militarism is contrary to tho spirit of Jesus Christ, and to\ the growing sentiment of Anglo-Saxon peoples. (2) That preparation for war is no preventive of it, but rather the Reverse. (In 1914 Germany was tho best prepared nation for war, and she deliberately forced war upon the ether nations,) (3) Preparation for war even in a high degree docs not ensure succcss in it. Germany again being witness. (4) Character, intelligence, and sound health are the essential qualifications of a soldier. Technical knowledge of drill and of the munitions of war can be acquired in a comparatively short space of time. The late war. was the grave of nothing so much as of great military reputations (5) The basis of physical and of moral health must be laid at an earlier period than that cf young manhood. Defects can best be remedied, right habits of "living be formed, and general fitness be attained by care and training in childhood and boyhood, and loss through neglect in these earlier stages can never l»c wholly recovered. (6) No proposals that have been made adequately meet the grave moral. dangers involved in segregating our young men for lengthy periods at the most critical stage of their lives.

Mr. Comrio proposed that these resolutions "should he forwarded to the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence. He said that in view of the agitation fn some nunrters for the formation of leagues of defence, it was time those with contrary viewrf on military training should give expression to their views. He did npt think that the proposal for the youths to under(To a- military—not merely a physicaltriinlne was a found one.

The Rev. H. Hudson thought that the resolution did not so far enough, did not heartily agree with it. but it was an. instalment in the right direction. JTe thonght that there was '>nly one party, who could bring ahout peace, and Iha.t was tin united churches. Tte seconded the rcpnlntion.

Mr. J. Duff said that he believed in phvsi<v>l training for boys, but he thought that they , should not be nut into camps for long periods. Ho thought that the country should have Homo scheme of natibial defence and training.'

TV Hev. D. A. Shaw said lie AM not think this Important uroposal should 1)« d'Vusse'l at Vie rof-r.tin?. as it vns not thoroughly ronrc'orifntive of fhp t'rcshvterv. Ho was of- the opinion that- the matter should bo adjourned, and ho moved accordingly. The motion to adjourn the discussion was carried on the voices.