MILITARY TRAINING

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 191, 15 May 1928, Page 10

MILITARY TRAINING

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS AND CHURCH ATTITUDE OF AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY Dominion Special Service. Auckland, May 14. An important pronouncement on the claim of certain divinity students to exemption from compulsory military training was issued to-day by the Auckland Presbytery. It clearly dissociates the Presbyterian Church in Auckland from tlie attitude of those students who decline to accept alternative service. The text of tlie announcement, which was approved unanimously by a special meeting of the Presbytery and supplied to the Press, is as follows: — “The Presbytery of Auckland welcomes the statement of the Minister of Defence (Hon. F. J. Rolleston) to a deputation of the General Assembly’s Public Questions Committee, and earnestly commends those claiming exemption from military service to prove their good faith by offering alternative non-military service.” The Minister’s reply to the deputation to which tlie announcement makes reference was an endorsement of the Auckland Magistrate’s refusal to grant exemption. Mr. Rolleston said that while the Defence Department fully respected the opinions of the conscientious objector, it maintained that to prove his bona tides a man must be prepared to do alternative work, such as St. John Ambulance. The deputation asked the Minister to reverse the Magisterial decision, submitting that the law did not allow the Magistrate the prerogative of suggesting. to objectors some form of alternative service. . , , To-day’s meeting of the Auckland Presbytery was the direct outcome of the visit of the deputation to the Minister. It was summoned by requisition, notice of tlie meeting being couched in the following terms“On Tuesday last, a committee appointed by the Presbytery to deal with students claiming exemption from military services met those concerned and discussed the grave situation which has arisen through their refusal to offer alternative services. On the next day, the Assembly’s Public Questions Committee (Dr. Gibb and.others) waited upon the Minister of Defence and maintained the right of these students to abstain from offering alternative service. A grave crisis has arisen, and your committee seeks the advice of the Presbytery on tlie matter.” There was a full attendance, the Moderator (Rev. T. Halliday) presiding. Discussion, which lasted two hours, w’as in committee, and the resolution was passed without a dissentient vote.