CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20293, 28 June 1929, Page 14

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS.

Sir, —" Clarity " makes the mistake of confusing Judaism with Christianity. There are many things ia parts of the Old Testament which are plainly irreconcilable wi,fch the teaching of Jesus. The days of that Israel of old were at the very best sub-Christian in their moral codes. We dare not, in commonsense, argue that we should conduct wars of merciless extermination because a tribal war chief like Joshua had a very limited conception of the nature . and purpose of God our Father: The teaching and- example of Jesus, not the bloody precepts of a more primitive time, must guide the actions of a people striving to be Christian. I would remind "Clarity" that most of us are not primarily "subjects," but "citizens," of the : British Empire, and if we are loyal and patriotic people ,we are striving to make the actions of our coiintry in relation to other countries more consistent with the faith we profess. He cites China a3 an example. A better one would be hard •to find. Two years ago we were on the verge of war. The merchants of Shanghai were howling for. war. The British Cabinet was half persuaded to fight. All through the Empire politicians and the press were feeling the pulse of our peoples to see if the war fever had risen high enough. But it had not so risen. Why? Simply because all over the Empire little groups of men "actuated by higher motives than greed of gold or lust for Imperial power, had- said that the proposal was morally wrong. And their view was not only right, but also in the higher sense a patriotic one. The true greatness of Britain is not in her Army or Navy, or in her shocking list of wars of economic exploitation, but in her literature, art, science, philanthropy, and in all those things which make not for the destruction of life, but for its greater abundance. Also, I should like to say—despite the shocking breakdown in the case of Richards and Mifier—of her free institutions. May i remind your correspondent in closing that 'in England itself public opinion would not tolerate compulsory military training for twenty-four hours. •" " 0. E. Buhton.