EXEMPTED.

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 1372904, 26 October 1917, Page 5

EXEMPTED.

All Clergy and Teachers. Including Marist Brothers. [By Telegraph. —‘ ‘ Times 5 ’ Special. 1 WELLINGTON, Lust Night. When the second reading of the Expeditionary Force Bill was continued to-night the chief subject discussed w T as the exemption of the Marist Brothers. Mr Anderson (Mataura) stated he intended moving an amendment that deserters from the Expeditionary Force shall not bo permitted to hold laud in New Zealand and that any land owned by them shall be forfeited. He also wished to sec the last brother of a family exempted by law, if the others were all serving. Sir Joseph Ward referred to the unanimity with which all religions had rallied to the Empire’s cause, and concluded that there was a higher side than tho mere physical necessities to consider. There were the spiritual needs of the country, and be believed that every man at the front would wish that all tho happiness and consolation, service, and help which the clergy- of all denominations could give to those left behind shbuld be given. There was also the very important question of the education of the young. The Minister pointed out that in America the President himself had declared that no school teachers should be called up, while iu England careful attention hud been given to the question of conserving the teachers for the schools. He contended that in the case of the Marist Brothers there was a double reason why they should be exempt from military service, as not only were they highly trained teachers in the ordinary sense, but they ministered also to the religious training of the children in their charge. In England up to March last no Marist Brfothers had been called up, the British Government thus recognising the important place they occupied as teachers. In New Zealand the Catholics had shown a loyal and patriotic response to the call to arms, no fewer than 9721 members of that Church having gone to the front up to the 28th Reinforcements.

Sir John Findlay urged members to exercise toleration and not allow a sectarian bias to enter into the discussion. He believed it would be wise to go straight into committee and consider the exemption clause. Mr Wright (Suburbs) said he was facing an issue, not of religious belief, but as to whether married men were to bo sent in the place of single men who had a particular belief. Tho Military Service Boards should be left to judge all such cases.

“This is every man’s war,” declared Mr Craigic, who added that ho would attempt to wipe out the wholesale exemptions provided for in clause 3. Mr McCalhnn argued that the Marist Brothers were practically in holy orders. He quoted statistics showing that the Roman Catholic community had done than its share in sending men to the war.

(Telephoned at 1.15 a.m.) When the Bill reached the committee stage Dr Newman moved to strike out of the schedule aH denominations in tho exemption clause so as to exempt all clergy. This was agreed to on the voices. Sir Joseph Ward then, moved to add to the exemption clause the following; —Any person who is a teacher in. any public school under the Education Act, or any teacher, lectarer or professor in any secondary school, college or university, or teacher in any private school not conducted for pecuniary profit. This was carried by 36 to 32.