THE DEFENCE SYSTEM.

Otago Witness, Issue 2996, 16 August 1911, Page 38

THE DEFENCE SYSTEM.

MORE NON-COMBATANTS. (From Oor Own Correspondent.! AUCKLAND, August 14. “As their father 1 object on religious grounds,” stated a man in artisan's attire ft the Police Court this morning when his two sons, Allen Percy Batten and Louis Beer Batten, appeared on a charge of failing to register under the Defence Act for military training. In vain Sub-inspector Hendry and tne bench enlarged o.n the physical and mental benefits of military discipline aild training, and explained that a kindly Defence Department had provided means to meet religious scruples by such arms to the forces as ambulance corps. “ I thank you for trying to deal leniently with me,” said the Christadelphian sadly. “ I have no objection to my sons being made men of, and I don’t want them to be thought cowards. I don’t wish in any way to defy the law, but I see another power, and it is that power my boys and I serve. It is purely on religious grounds. As followers of Christ I don’t wish them to take up arms in defence in any way, or to be bound by the law to do so. I know when a fine is imposed it means imprisonment, be■taufie I am not in a position to pay, but I am prepared to accept my burden. Asked by Sub-inspector Hendry if he were aware that Mr Taylor, a prominent member of his religious persuasion, had allowed his son to register on tne understanding that he was posted to an ambulance corps, Mr Batten said he was. He added that My Taylor had, however, deplored the fact among his own church people. The Sub-inspector offered to withdraw the charges if tne boys would register on the understanding that they would be posted to an amoulance corps. The Bench added : “ 1 think you can’t say Christ would be against ambulance work. ”

“ No, sir; I think he would not,” replied the father, who thereupon put the offer to his hopefuls, but the two young Christadelphian sons emphatically decided to be martyrs, and the bench regretfully ordered a fine of £1 each and costs Some minutes later in the court proceedings the case was mentioned again by the sub-inspector, who announced that as the result of a conference with Captain Hawkins the boys, who appeared to have misunderstood the position, had stated their willingness now to register. Captain Hawkins said that the position was that when persons with religious scruples against militarism had complied with the act by registering, the matter was put before the department for reconsideration with regard to tlreir being being posted. I\f a person on registering stated his religious scruples the fact was sent forward to headquarters, and having complied with the law, he would not be posted on account of his religious objections. The Bench agreed to defer the case, and the 'sub-inspector asked and was given permission to withdraw the informations in order that the accused might be saved the expense of a fine and costs ‘ farmers AND DRILL. A report from Waiuku states that a mounted parade which is called for the 2nd inst. at Drury is causing considerable- uneasiness amongst a number of the men in the Wainku Mounted Rifles, as General Godley publicly stated his willingness to meet the farmers, so that they should not have to go more than 12 miles to attend a parade, or one. hour’s ride. In the present instance, although possibly it is not known by the authorities, a large number of the men have no less than 48 miles to ride to attend the parade and the same in returning, making 96 miles for one parade, while the nearest men all have 23 miles each way, which means some will have to leave home long before daylight to report themselves at Waiuku at 7.30 a.m. to proceed to Drury.