PACIFIST VIEWPOINTS

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 23 August 1935, Page 5

PACIFIST VIEWPOINTS

STUDENTS AT DUNEDIN CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS LETTERS TO DEFENCE MINISTER (By Telegraph—Press Association,) DONEDiN, Aug. 22. Regarding the pacifist motion passed at Knox Church annual meeting Dr. Hawksworth, president of the Students’ Union, questioned the statement that 20 per cent, of the students subscribed to the pacifist viewpoint.

There was no such definite movement in the university as a whole, he said. The Knox movement could not speak for the university, and. his own opinion was that the student body as a whole would certainly 7 fall into line with the people of the Dominion if called upon to fight. Inquiries made at Dunedin produced an assertion that 20 per cent, of the students at Otago University 7 could be regarded as supporting the pacifist viewpoint, and that ibis number was growing steadily, said ail earlier message. Leaders of the Student Christian Movement said that fully 50 per cent, of their number subscribed to pacifist principles. It was further learned that at Knox College a group hAd been formed, members of which describe themselves as “Christian Pacifists.” This group numbers 15, and each member of it has already written to the Minister of Defence, Mr J. G. Cobbe, stating liis refusal to undertake military service in any capacity whatever. In each case the Minister has replied that the letters have been .filed for reference. It is stated that the travelling secretary 7 of the movement is at present visiting the other university colleges with a view to extending the movement and urging that a similar course of action be adopted throughout tlio student body in the University of New Zealand.