CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS.

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 22 August 1935, Page 4

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS.

The point of view of the conscientious objector to war is already being raised in New Zealand, a Presbyterian :i7 bongregation in Dunedin having been asked to support any of its members “who declare themselves to be conscientious objectors on religious grounds.” That congregation acceded to the request almost unanimously. It would be very desirable to have public opinion on the status and liberty of the conscientious objector clearly defined before the nation became involved in any war. After the outbreak of war it is too late to get reasoned judgment on this subject. The generation which came into contact with any phase of the Great War has learned since that the “conshy” is not necessarily the despicable coward that he was judged to be when the win-the-war fever was at its height. If we have not learned that there may be heroism behind the firmness of the sincere objector, we have not learned much from our last war experience. Sincerity of conscience is a difficult thing to judge and once a country is involved in war it has not much time nor inclination to devote to determining the dividing line between the genuine objector and the “lead-swinger.”