CHRISTIAN PACIFIST’S APPEAL

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 112, 5 February 1941, Page 12

CHRISTIAN PACIFIST’S APPEAL

Allowed Conditionally ALTERNATIVE SERVICE PRESCRIBED A Christian pacifist, Trevor George Purves, clerk, Petone, appealed on the ground of conscientious objection before the No. 4 Armed Force Appeal Board at Wellington yesterday. He said that as a Christian pacifist he objected to war. It would be a denial of Jesus Christ, of Whom he claimed to be a follower, to be part of a machine which, to achieve its purpose, must involve misery, suffering and death to thousands. For 12 years, he said, he had belonged to the Methodist Bible class movement and to the Methodist Church of New Zealand, which had publicly stated that war was contrary to the spirit and purpose of Christ. He was prepared to do alternative service not under military control. Appellant said he was very uneasy in conscience when his firm was working several weeks on army contracts. However, as it was only for this short period, he did not do anything. lie realized that, all persons were more or less indirectly assisting the war, but he would do nothing to resist the enemy. The Crown representative, Mr. C. O. 8011, said appellant was paying national security tax which was for war. He obeyed this law but not that of compulsory service, which was also law. Is it not easier for you to worship in New Zealand now than if the Germans were here? —I do not see that it is. You are not prepared to defend your faith? —Not by force; not in any way (o involve suffering to others. What would you do if personally attacked? —1 would have no desire to hit back. And if you saw defenceless persons attacked? —I would do all I could to alleviate human suffering. Would you protect them?—l woulu not be prepared to use force. The Rev. H. C. Dixon, Methodist minister, Waiwhetn, said that he knew Purves to be a pacifist. He was not minister -of the Petone church whica appellant, attended. He had met appellant in a group at Petone of which appellant was leader. To Mr. Bell, witness said Methodists as a body were not actually pacifists. The Church did not declare itself either way, but it had declared itself opposed to war and would support any person conscientiously opposed to war. A great many Methodist ministers, but unfortunately not the majority, were pacifists attd there was a.strong pacifist sentiment in the Church. He had been a pacifist for many years. Appellant was a Bible class leader at Petone and sincere in his views. The appeal was allowed subject to appellant doing alternative service, under clause 8 of the regulations, at the direction of the Minister of National Service. Under this clause the Minister may direct members of the reserve to perforin services, other than in the armed services, which they are capable of doing.