MILITARY SERVICE

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 18 July 1929, Page 10

MILITARY SERVICE

DIVINITY STUDENTS PAY FINES. (By Telegraph—Press Association) AUQKLAND, July 18. The Pmsby t-e.r ia.iL (divinity studeirbs, Alan Morgan Richards and Alexander Miller, wiip were each fined £5 for refusing to perform military training, paid their tine® to-day. At tlie time Miller paid his fine lie also made a further application from drill. It is. expected that within the next few days Richards will follow suit. APPEAL FOR, REiVIEW OF SENTENCES.

DUNEDIN, July IS. At ni meeting to-ilay of the Presbyterian Assembly's public questions committee the following resolutions were carried in reference to the Prime Minis, tor’s statement in Parliament: “The committee respectfully asks to' an assurance from, the Prime Minister that the declarations of the Minister of Justice given to a deputation on July 10 regarding (a) no discrimination between the denominations of conscientious objectors ; and (b) early gazettal of alternative service as prescribed by the Governcr-General-in-Council as laid down iu the Defence Act of 1912, shall be confirmed. “The committee urges that the Prime : proposal to exempt divinity j students (i.e.. those studying, with a I | view to the ministry) should be ex- | tended; to all persons whose cons'oicntioiis objections to military training and service are certified by trustworthy witnesses with due regard to the obligation to render alternative non-military service. The Presbyterian Church does net ask that students for the ministry ■should receive preferential treatment over other young men who may claim exemption on the grounds o f conscience. “The committee points out the glaring anomaly of alllotring the, present heavy sentences and threat of imprisonment to lie upon Rich aids and Miller while the justice of exempting such dbjeetor-s as at the same time acknowledged by the Prime Minister. The committee therefore respectfully asks the Prime -Minister to submit- these cases to the Governor-General with a recoin-,I mendntion that lie should review the sentences. “The committee invite® all Presbyteries of the church to support this appeal for the exercise of the prerogative of the Governor-General.’ ’