RELIGIOUS OBJECTORS.

North Otago Times, Volume CIII, Issue 13654, 23 August 1916, Page 4

RELIGIOUS OBJECTORS.

CHRISTADELPKIANS SEEK • EXEMPTION FROM SERVICE. ' DUNEDIN', August 21.' Two young Christadelphians, Arnold and Normaii Aldcrson, -who .in May. last declared before the Court tlieir willingness to serve as non-combatants—in the Bearer Corps of the Ambulance Brigade —made an application, through Mr, Smith, their solicitor, for a re-hearing• oii the grounds 'that they had since, received further instruction in their creed, ajid had found that any form of military service was contrary to theii' beliefs. The.Magistrate (Mr Bartholomew) isked why such an application had been made, The applicants had previously stated that service in the Ambulance Corps was not contrary to their religious beliefs, Mr Smith said that at that time the young fellows were not far enough advanced in their, creed. Further instruction had brought'the knowledgo that to. serve as either combatants or noncombatants was entirely contrary to their belief, Norman Alderson told of his enlightenment regarding his creed, He said that he accepted every ona of the. 35 doctrines contained in the ci:ml, These included the injunctions that they were not to take part in politics, nor to take coercive measures to recover debts, nor to act in any. military .capacity. He had read literature on the subject, and this had convinced him that to servo in any military capacity was wrong. His Worship refused the application for a rehearing, but said he would consider whether the youths had honestly developed the. belief as set out,