“OBJECTORS’ CHAMPION”

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 28 October 1941, Page 4

“OBJECTORS’ CHAMPION”

|To the Editorl Sir.—lt is unfortunate, but apparent, [that you were possessed of only half the facts when you wrote your subleader yesterday under the above title. To save unnecessary misunderstanding permit me, as one who was present when the motion in question was passed. to record the situation as it was. Dr. Alexander Ilodgo. B.A , 8.D., the mover is by no means a pacifist; for that reason his motion was the more striking. In speaking to it, he made it clear that he could not identify himself with the views of conscientious objectors. that he was aware of the many cases of conscientious objection that were not genuine, and that he was not m any way making sweeping statemen's about the general treatment such appellants were receiving The puruose of his motion was not to champion Ihe case of conscientious objectors but to call attention to the fact that, in spite of the national principle of the liberty of the individual conscience, there were evidences in Auckland (and eases were cited > of that principle being violated and the idea of conscience being ridiculed. He saw in those isolated cases, the seeds of a menace that, unless dealt with in the early stages, might grow and destroy the very things the nation is striving for. Similarly those delegates who voted in favour of it. did so because, like their forefather:- who first championed the i i me of freedom of conscience, tliev felt that whatever a man's views. rely t efore God and His revelation of truth, he should not in anv wav be persecuted for them. --I am. etc., F. G. REDDELL. Nelson, 28tfi Oct.