RELIGIOUS OBJECTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24432, 18 October 1940, Page 9

RELIGIOUS OBJECTION

ADVICE FROM CLERGY ANGLICAN SYNOD PROPOSAL RESPECT FOR PRINCIPLES (Per United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH. Oct. 17. The hope that visits to clergy by conscientious objectors seeking assistance or advice might result in a change of attitude on the part of the objectors was expressed by Canon A. H. Norris during a discussion by the Christchurch Anglican Synod, At the same time, he expressed approval of the principle that the convictions of genuine objectors should be respected. He was speaking to a motion moved py the Rev. H. S. Hamilton as follows:—“That realising that there are conscientious objections to military service sincerely believed to be founded on the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, this synod, representing the church in council, agrees that men holding such objections should be given advice and assistance bv the clergy where reauired.” Mr Hamilton said he was not moving the motion because he was a pacifist. for he was not a pacifist, “ I trust, however, that, no matter how great the strain may become, we may never put compulsion on men to be false to their convictions. If I were satisfied that a man was genuine I would be quite prepared to support his case before a tribunal,” Mr Hamilton added. “If I thought him to be not genuine 1 would show him the door.”

Canon Norris seconding the motion, said he was supporting it because he had been asked to, but he was very willing to support it. He hoped the prime movers of the motion would not think him flippant if he expressed the hope that young men with conscientious objections would follow the example of three ardent pacifists he had known.

“They proved in their conversation at the dinner-table to be most pugnacious speakers." he said. “ Thenlanguage was certainly not that of doves of peace so that I, a meek militarist, could hardly stand up to it. The sequel is that one is now a military chaplain, the second has volunteered in England and the third, also in England, is a second-lieutenant in the Royal Artillery.” “Do you think Yout Grace that Canon Norris might undertake the opening of some kind of clinic? ” asked Mr E Hitchcock “ I take no credit for the conversions.” Canon Norris replied. Mr H. D, Andrews said he could see no reason for th« motion. Surely the tribunals set up to deal with conscientious objectors were adequate. He suggested that those who brought the motion forward had the ulterior motive of persuading the synod to express, even indirectly sympathy with the objectors’ point of view.—(Murmur? of “ No.’’)

Mr R, S, D. Harman said the proposal was merely to instruct the clergy to do their job. to do what was nature ally expected of them. He moved that the synod proceed with the next business. Mr Harman’s motion was carried, and the discussion lapsed.