CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTIONS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9766, 3 April 1914, Page 4

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTIONS.

Thi Minister for Defence is making enquiries from local bodies for a solution of the problem presented by conscientious and religious objectors to the defence scheme. Tho Act makes provision for exemption from military service of those |K»rsons who satisfy a magistrate that their religious principles would be violated by the performance of military duties. In justice to those who, in accordance with the Act. carry out the prescribed military training, it is felt that some equivalent service of a non-military nature should Ik? exacted from those who cannot see their way, on religious or conscientious grounds, to carry out their statutory obligations. The Minister for Defence thinks it might be possible to employ those thus exempted in work that might be of use to the community. At present there are only 69 religious objectors exempted in the Dominion, but it is probable that when exemptions aro extended to conscientious objectors there will bo an increase. The Minister is therefore enquiring from local bodies as to the work most suitable in town or country for these objectors to bo put to. instead of giving an equivalent amount of time to military training, and asking for suggestions as to the supervision and regulating of objectors so engaged. The proposed alternative is one that will test the sincerity of those who contend that military training will do violence to their religious convictions or to their consciences, and no doubt the suggestions received from the local bodies will enable the Government to deal with one of the most difficult problems arising out of the compulsory training system. Tho policy of consulting those interested on such a matter is one that might well be extended to other points in connection with military training. There is the question of arranging camps and daylight parades in such a way that they will not inconvenience employers and disorganise industry. At present very little appears to be done in this direction, and in large establishments, where numbers of men are in the territorials, it is extremely embarrassing for them to Ik? absent at the same time. The opinion of employers who find their operations hampered by the demands made by military service would be interesting, and if sought by tho Minister in the same way that ho has consulted the local bodies, they might enable him to come to some more convenient arrangement than appears to be the rule at present.