CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

Evening Star, Issue 22193, 22 November 1935, Page 16

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

METHODIST DISCUSSION OH PEACE AND WAR SYNOD REQUESTED TO PROTECT [Per United Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, November 21. The attitude of the Methodist Church to war and to conscientious objectors was discussed for more than an hour at the North Canterbury Methodist Synod to-day. A resolution to defer consideration of the subject until the conference of 1938, because of the sharply opposing views held on it was carried, but was followed immediately by another resolution asking the conference to take steps to protect the principles of conscientious objectors. The first motion before the Synod was —“ That the peace clauses adopted at the last conference, with the exception of that providing for protection for conscientious objectors, should be reaffirmed.” This was opposed by several speakers. • ' , The Rev. Clarence Eaton said lie could not vote in favour of reaffirming the clauses, as most of them were now out of date. He moved as au amendment —“ That the Synod desires to record its appreciation of the services of the British Government in its efforts to promote peace, and especially to support the League of Nations in its present struggle to stabilise peace throughout the world.” The Rev, F, T. Read asked what steps had been taken since the last conference to put the resolution into effect. For instance, what pressure bad been brought’ to reduce armaments? He seconded Mr Eaton’s amendment. The Rev. IT. Ryan said that if tho amendment were carried he would move an entirely pacifist motion. Mr H Holland questioned the use of passing such resolutions which the church had no power to put into effect, and which, in fact, never went outside the church. The motion was lost, and Mr Eaton’s amendment was carried. The report of the District Public Questions Committee to the effect that the Peace Covenant adopted by the last conference or some similar covenant designed to honour the scruples of Methodist conscientious objectors should be circulated was then submitted to the Synod for adoption. The District Youth Committee brought forward an amendment to this to the effect that the subject he deferred until the conference of 1938. Mr Eaton said he must oppose the motion to adopt the report, as he believed it might cause serious divisioip in the church. Moreover, it would bring great mental distress to those who signed the covenant and later changed their minds about their attitude to war, and he considered it undesirable to create a haven for objectors to military service. During the discussion Mr Ryan said that be was one who did not fear a disruption’in the Christian Church, and later declared that he had been grievously hurt in recent years to hear at Synods and even at conferences sentiments to which generals, admirals, and war-mongers could say “ Amen.” The motion was lost, and the amendment to defer the subject until the 1938 conference was carried. A motion to the effect that the conference be asked to consider the question without any direction Irom the Synod was then,moved. "As an amendment to this Mr Ryan moved—” That the Synod request the conference to take steps to protect Methodist conscientious objectors_ so that their religious principles might he honoured in accordance with tho decision of the last conference.” The motion was lost, and the amendment was carried. BIRTH CONTROL. That marriage, divorce, and birth control should be discussed by a _ special coiniitiltec of (lie next Mcthodjst enu-

ference and report to the following conforeiice is the opinion of the North Canterbury Methodist Synod, which today carried a resolution to that effect without discussion. The following resolution was then carried on the_ voices: 1 “ That the Synod is of the opinion that tho dissemination of knowledge in regard to birth control is partly responsible for the declining birth rate in Great Britain and the Dominion. In view of the peril that such decline is to tho human race, we believe that tho • church is unwise to give any countenance to propaganda that has very sinister aspects.” Mr L. Watson said that no resolution of the church would have any effect on a matter such as that under discussion at present. The upper strata of society, which had the knowledge, had smal families, and the lower strata, without knowledge, had tho largest families. Nothing tho church could do would a Her flint.