MILITARY OBJECTORS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20303, 10 July 1929, Page 12

MILITARY OBJECTORS.

PRESBYTERIAN STUDENTS.

VIEWS HELD IN CHRISTCHURCH

PRESBYTERY AND DIFFICULTIES

[EY TELEGRAPH. —OWN COIIItESPONDENT.] CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday.

At a meeting of (ho Christchurch Presbytery to day tho following motion was carried unanimously:—"Tho Presbytery of Christchurch, in view of tho decision of the Gensral Assembly to support tho claim of certain Auckland students for exemption from military service on the ground of their conscientious objections to render such service, affirms the principle of tho rights of conscience and strongly supports the Assembly's Public Questions Committee in the line of action it proposes to take. ."The presbytery assures the committee of its approval of tho efforts to be made to secure: (a) The review of tho sentence; (b) the removal of tho difficulties which havo grown up in connection with the rights of conscience in the matter of military training when such rights are claimed, in good faith and on the testimony of trustworthy witnesses, by members of the Presbyterian Church; and (c) tho prescription and gazetting of alternative service by the Governor-in-Coun-cil."

In moving the resolution the Rev. J. A. Allen read a copy of the findings of the Public Questions Committee of the Assembly passed on July 2. He characterised the sentences as very severe, especially in view of tho fact that the lads were divinity students. Tho Court's action, lie thought, might have a serious bearing on their ability to carry out the functions of tho ministry. It seemed that they would have to go to gaol. Dr. E. N. Merrington, master of Knox College, would meet tho Minister of Justice as a deputation.

It was about two years since the question first arose, said Mr. Allen, and since then it had been carried on by the authorities. The Court had refused exemption because the lads were Presbyterians, and not members of a sect which held that its adherents could not bo soldiers. The integrity of the individual conscience was the main guide of life, but tho implication of the Court's decision was that it must bow down before the State.

People might ask whether every twist and whim of conscience was to bo regarded, but this was neither. It was a reputable attitude and might bo respected, yet it. was not generally acknowledged. Tho students were in excellent company when they took up their attitude. and it was not for the presbytery to discuss whether tho lads were right or wrong.

In seconding the motion the Rev. W. P.. Hutchinson said a certain confusion had arisen and the magistrates had treated the matter as though to indicate that one class of conscientious objection was to be treated in one category, and another class in another. They held that Presbyterians %vere quibbling when they objected to military service. As a Church they did stand for the right of conscience, and for the right of conscience to bo respected. Whether these lads were right or wrong they had the right of conscience. It was a severe sentence to take from a divinity student, whose whole lifo was devoted to humanity, his civil rights for a period of 10 years. The speaker said ho would regard it as a disgrace if such a thing happened to him.