CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20870, 9 November 1929, Page 3

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS.

ALTERNATIVE SERVICE. NO OPENING IN SALVATION ARMY. (Special to Daily Times.) t . CHRISTCHURCH, November S. A wild-cat scheme! Never in my ■wildest dreams could I imagine that our organisation could offer anything in the wav of training.” Ibis.statement was made this morning by Brigadier I>. V'. Burton, divisional commander of the Salvation Army in Canterbury and Westland, when referring to the telegram from Wellington stating that the Defence Department bad almost completed the arrangements for alternative service to those objecting to military training on conscientious grounds. It was probable, it was stated, that such service would bo with the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army has no openings in which it could utilise the services of conscientious objectors,” said Brigadier Burton. _ “The national system of military training is the law of the country,' and while the law stands as it is why should wc not abide by it? If a man is sincere in his objections to doing military training there surely must be a fair opportunity for him to render service with the > ambulance and other departments associated with the military. Certainly the Salvation Army offers nothing for him. ’H Is very extraordinary,” said Mr C. R. N. Mackie, hoh. secretary of the National Peace Council, when the telegram was referred to him. "It is a hopeless solution of the. problem. It has been suggested before that those objecting to military training on conscientious grounds should be put to work in hospitals or join the Scout movement, and cither _of thcse_ schemes appears to be more in linc with requirements. It appears to be simply that an extremity has been reached and the Minister just wants to make a suggestion to got out of an awkward position.”