"I WILL ACCEPT MY BURDEN.”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3296, 15 August 1911, Page 6

"I WILL ACCEPT MY BURDEN.”

ARTISAN AND THE DEFENCE ACT PROBLEM SATISFACTORILY SOLVED. (.SPECIAL TO TIMES J AUCKLAND, August 14. . ‘ ‘As their father I object on religious grounds,” stated a man in artisans attire at<■the Police Court this morning, yvhen his tyvo sons, Allen Percy Batten and Louis Beer Batten, appeared on a charge of failing to register under the Defence Act for military training. In vain Sub-Inspector Hendry and the Bench enlarged on the physical and mental benefits of military discipline and training, and explained that a kindly Defence Department had provided means to meet religious scruples by such arms to the forces as ambulance corps. J “I thank you for trying to deal leniently with me,” said the Christadelphian father sadly. “I have no objection to my sons being made men of. and I don’t yvant them to be thought cowards. I don’t wish in any way to defy the law, but I see another power and it is that power my boys and I serve. It is purely on religious grounds as followers of Christ. I don’t yvish them to take up arms in defence in any way, or to be bound by the law to do so. I know yvhen a fine is imposed it means imprisonment, because I am not in a position to pay, but I am prepared to accept my burden.” Asked by Sub-Inspector Hendry if lie yvas. ayvare that Mr Taylor—a prominent member of his religious persuasion—had allowed his : son to:register on the understanding that he was posted to an ambulance corps, Mr Batten said he yvas. He added that Mr Taylor had, however, deplored the fact among his own church people. The Sub-Inspector offered to withdraw the charges if the boys would register, on the understanding that they would be posted to an ambulance corps. The Bench added: “I think you can’t say Christ yvould be against ambulance yvork.” “No. sir, I think He yvould not,” replied the father, who thereupon put the offer to hi 6 (hopefuls, and they agreeing, the charge was dismissed.