MILITARY TRAINING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20115, 28 November 1928, Page 12

MILITARY TRAINING.

THE PRESBYTERIAN ATTITUDE.

SUPPORT FOR OBJECTORS.

THE RECENT AUCKLAND CASES.

ALTERNATIVE SERVICE QUESTION

Tho most highly controversial matter the Presbyterian Assembly has had before it in its present sessions was reached last evening, when the Rev. Dr. Gibb presented tho report of tho Public Questions Committee. The two matters dealt with wero compulsory military training and the rights of conscientious objectors, and a manifesto on tho subject of peace. Tho conscientious objectors referred to wero Mr. A. M. Richards and other Aucklanders whoso cases have been prominently before tho public. Dr. Gibb submitted the following motion:—"Reaffirm tho resolution of last assembly regarding military training, and tho rights of conscience; approve the action of tho committee in supporting the claims of Messrs. Richards, Dyrt and Miller for exemption; and instruct tho committee to continue its efforts to obtain a ruling of tho Govornor-in-Council regarding an alternative form of servico for conscientious objectors." Tho Rev. W. McLean, of Oamaru, immediately rose to ask that tho resolution should be divided into threo parts. Dr. Gibb eventually agreed to make it two, tho first part ending at "rights of conscience."

Mr. McLean warmly condemned as "unfair and improper" Dr. Gibb's refercnco to tho resolution as having been carried unanimously by the last assembly. Further intervention by Mr. McLean on what proved afterwards to bo a mutual misunderstanding led Dr. Gibb to exclaim: "I shall step down from the rostrum and loave tho houso if thero is any moro of this."

A rebuke from the moderator, who said quietly "You must leave tho control of tho meeting to mo," was warmly applauded. Later, the moderator was constrained to check interruptions by saying: "I faury you will get on much better if you will iet mo protect your interests." (Hear, hoar.) Eights of Conscience.

The resolution of last assembly declared tho inviolability of tho rights of the individual conscience, recognised that a Christian might feel obliged to refuso military service, and claimed for members of tho church the rights of exemption provided by law.

Dr. Gibbs* motion was seconded by tho Rev. J. D. Smith, of Manaia.

The veteran chaplain of tho Church, tho Rev. D. Dutton, said that if no ono else was going to speak against the motion he certainly would. It was altogether a mistake for the assembly to tako up tho position of dictating to the State the form of military service. They must either abolish their military forces altogether, or see to it that they were efficient. The only efficient form of military service in this country was its existing system.

"Mr. Dutton's attitude was supported by the Rev. Dr. S. W. Currie.

Mr. Coleman, of Hawera, asked if thero was a church in the world that owed more to the sword than did theirs. They should bo tlio last to raise their voices against the Defence Act.. If a man felt ho rould not render military scrvico ho should think twice before seeking to enter the ministry of their church. Those mininsters were going to teach children, and what would they put in their minds? "A Very SeriouG Mistake."

The belief that, a very serious mistake had been made by tho assembly in pronouncing against compulsory military servico was expressed by tho Hon. J. B. Gow. If it was right to defend their country at all, then it was a duty that should lie share equally by all. Conscientious objectors took a cankered view of life. Force was behind every form of government, and theso objectors would gladly avail themselves of it. Ho was sorry this pacifist idea, largely fathered by Dr. Gibb. had obtained such a sway over the assembly. The Rev. Dr. Erwin. of Christchurch, said that disarmament could come only by mutual compact among tho nations and that had not been reached.

The debate was closed and Dr. Gibb's motion was declared carried by 99 io 60. Dr. Gibb then brought forward tlio second part of the resolution approving the action of the connnitteo in supporting the claims of Richards and others. It had scorned to tlio committee, ho said, that tlio authorities in this matter were regarding the decisions of the Church with indifference and, indeed, with contempt. The committee was so much convinced of the justice of the claims of these young men that they sent him to Auckland to tako what steps he thought fit to vindicate not only the rights of these young men, but also the honour and standing of tho Church. A Significant Happening. On arrival in Auckland he learned a very significant thing, that on the very morning of tho prosccutiou of young Richards a telegram was received from tho Minister of Dofenco that tho prosecution was withdrawn. Tho authorities had evidently bccomo aware that they were driving tho Church into .1 position of antagonism to the wholo military system. The young men had been, and still were, anxious and willing to enter on any kind of service prescribed by tho proper authority. Tho present situation was most unsatisfactory. These young men had been left alono and thero had been no prosecution, and it was clear tho authorities recognised that moral right was on their side. Tho honour of the Church was involved in standing by them. The Rev. J. D. Smith, in secondintt the nipt ion. said thero was no danger of any largo number obtaining exemption in this way. The Rev. W. McLean said he opposed tho motion, although 110 had supported tho previous one. These particular men had caused a good deal of troublo to the local Presbytery. They were immature young men, who had not considered the. question from all points of view; and they wevo under the influence of an older man. lie lost confidence in the conscientious objector when ho refused all service. Ready lor Any Service. In reply to a question Dr. Gibb said tho young men were willing to assist in making roads or unloading fruit ships or any non-military public scrvico. The Rev. 11. J. Gilbert, of Hamilton, asked why it should bo necessary for the young men to become Quakers before they could have a conscience. Mr. Logan, of Rangiora, moved that the second part of tho motion instructing tho committee to continuo should bo deleted. Tho matter should now bo allowed to drop. This was seconded by tho Rev D Dutton. Tho Rev. Morgan Richards, father of tho lad whose namo has been so prominent in the controversy, said tho public questions coinmitteo could not do otherwise than it had done, 110 reviewed the history of tho case. Tho father of another of tho lads, Mr. M. J. Byrt, of Kaitaiu, said his lad had been one of tho keenest of cadets and non-commissioned officers until 110 had changed his views at tho university. Tho voting 011 tho amendment was very even and Dr. Gibb agreed to accept the amendment. His motion was carried on tho voices. Tho subjoct of tho peace manifesto will bo discussed by tho assembly to-day.