COUNCIL OF CHURCHES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2985, 31 May 1911, Page 3

COUNCIL OF CHURCHES.

"CHURCHES AND MILITARY TRAINING."

Tho qua.rte.rly meeting of the above council was held in tho Moray Place Congregational Sunday School Hall on the 22nd, the president (the Rev. G. Knowles Smith) in the chair. Mr Driver then moved the following: — " This Council of the Christian Churches of Dur.edin and suburbs desires to record its intense satisfaction ,at the proposed Anglo-American Arbitration Treaty, which it regards as one of the most auspicious events in the history of the world. It rejoices greatly that overtures for the adoption of such a treaty as would refer to peaceful arbitrament all disputes that might arise between the two nations, even disputes which affected national honour, cam© first from 'President Taft, and that Sir E. Gray, Minister for Foreign Affairs, expressed in the House of Commons the readiness of the Imperial Government to respond to these overtures. It earnestly hopes that this treaty may be speedily signed and put an end, as tho British Premier has said, to the hideous and thinkable possibilities < of fratricidal strife It prays that tho example set by two of the greatest Empires of the world may be emulated by other nations until. the wasteful expenditure in preparation for war has ceased and all causes of international strife are adjusted by a judicial tribunal of peace. It gives devout thanks to God for all that has been already achieved in the interests of peace amongst tho nations, and prays that war may yet be brought to perpetual end.'' The Rev. W. Slade seconded the motion. Flo said tho completion of the Panama Canal would render our coasts open for a .sadden descent. They should welcomo very sincerely such a treaty. The motion was then unanimously agreed to.

In opening the question of "The Churches and Military Training" the Chairman referred to two letters he had received on the subject. He said that personally his position was that of the Society of Friends. He was opposed to war in any shape or form.

Tho Rev. W. Saunders moved —"That this council expresses its stlrong disapproval of the formation of denominational corps, and that the attention of the Minister of Defence be called thereto." The mover said he was heartily __ in favour of the military training, of the* youth of the Dominion. Ho was glad to see that they bad suoh a law as they now had on tho statutes cf New, Zealand. It was a gcod thing for a country to be trained on the lines proposed. Denominationalism. in military matters, however, seemed to him (the speaker) an iniquity. How a Government could look upon such a thing as denominational companies was a tliang he could not understand.

The Rev. W. Slade seconded the motion. An •amendment was then moved —" That this council cannot see its way clear to take any action in the matter." In answer to a question, the Chairman said tho Defence Department did not ask them to appoint officers. It only gave them the option of recommending officers, who might ohooso their own companies. The enrolments must bo made by Juno 2, and tho officers were not yet nominated. The Rev. A. Cameron said ho opposed the whole question, root and branch. Ho did not agree with tho dictum that because it was law it must go on, and instanced several evils which, although law. they were fighting against at the present time. They were running a risk of creating a war spirit, and ho would ask them to point to any country whero the war spirit had not been a result of compulsory military training, A voioe:" Switzerland.

Mr Gebbie moved that the motion bo now put—(the amendment having lapsed)— and it was declared carried with but one dissentient.

Tho President said they had now to deal with the letters received from Lieutenant Thorns and District Commander Jones. Mr Slade moved' —"That this Council of Churches deeply appreciates the courtesy of Lieutenant Thorns and District Commander Jones in their offer to form church companies of cadets, and the nomination of officers thereto, but in view of the objection to the formation of denominational companies it is of opinion that the churches as such should leave the matter to the military authorities." Mr Cameron moved as an amendment — " That this council is of opinion that tho churches as such should take no partf* iu the' formation of cadet companies." - Tho amendment was carried by 1C votes to 9, and it was then altered to read: " This Council of Churches deeply a.ppre < ciates the courtesy of Lieutenant Thorns and District Commander Jones and tho off&r of forming church companies of cadets and the nomination of officers thereto, but it is of opinion that the churches as such should take no part in tho formation of cadet companies." The motion was then declared carried, with two dissentients.