TEACHING SOCIALISM

NZ Truth, Issue 889, 9 December 1922, Page 7

TEACHING SOCIALISM

"C.O.V is the Making

Under Maoriland's Defence Act a Magistrate may grant exemption from military training- and service if he is satisfied that the applicant objects m good faith to such training, and service on the ground that it is contrary to his religious belief. This is embodied m clause 65 of the 'Amendment Act of 1912} and some ■ '- CRANKY-HEADED SOCIALISTS have evidently been teaching some of the rising generation that it is a crime against their conscience to drill or serve their country as soldiers, because two youngsters, who said they were pupils at the Socialist Sunday School at Chrlstchurch lodged applications to claim exemption from drill, because to drill or take part m any military exercises was contrary to their religious belief. \ One youthful "CO." presented himself before Magistrate Widdowson last week. He was\a raw- looking kid, who stated that his age was 15 years. When asked his religion the reply was, "I attend the Socialist Sunday School." The S.M.: What church do your parents belong to?— Church of England. How long have you been attending the Socialist Sunday School? — Six years. Do your father and mother consent to you. attending this Sunday school? -T-They\ dpn't stop me. I choose for myself. What do these people believe, and what don't they believe?— They believe that war is wrdng, arid that it's wrong to fight. - . . ■ Dq you believe that, too? — Yes, I do. How long have you thought that? — Ever since I've been going to Sunday school. Where do you go to school on weekdays? — The Technical School, where I have to attend drill. Answering further questions, the youngster, who was well primed and GAVE LIP TO HIS DOGMA . like a hard-shelled Socialist, admitted that he did not object to the musketry training at the time, although he thought it was wrong." He also saidhe had no objection t6 physical drill "if it's for the right purpose — hot as training to fight." . l?he boy went on to say, however, that, In his opinion, he got enough physical drill now as. It was. ■ ■ . ' . ' '."■ :'i '■ The S.M.: Where?— Well, working. Who is the head of the Sunday school?— The Rev. J. H. G. Chappie! The B.M. intimated to the applicant that he must brings someone to Court to speak on his behalf." He could not accept his mere word, . and wanted to hear one of the boy's parents and a representative of theY : . Sunday school. The case was, . therefore, adjourned, and for some unexplained reason was resumed m Chambers by the Magistrate next day. It was .•.subsequently announced that the application was refused on the ground that the 'Socialist Sunday School was ah educational r\r* not a felinrio" 3 institution.