THE DEFENCE ACT.
POSITION OF PLYMOUTH BRETHREN. (From Our Own Correspondent.) FEILDING, November 12. - Before Mr J, W. Poynton, S.M., this morning, Horace V. Melvin claimed exemption from military training on the grounds that his religious end conscientious convictions were against the spirit of the Defence Act. The applicant appeared and stated that he was 19 years and 5 months of age. He was a member of the Fellowship of the Brethren, commonly called the Plymouth Brethren, Land it was part of their creed to refuse military service. His Worship considered that whilst, in hie opinion, the views expressed by Melvin was absurd, he believed Melvin really held conscientious objections to the Act. If such views were generally held we would soon cease to exist as a nation, and would ultimately have the country full of people wearing pigtails and be worshipping the or be dominated By some other Power. He would grant the application, but wished jt to be understood that by so doing >jf member of
! the brethren would not necessarily be es treated.
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Otago Witness, Issue 3114, 19 November 1913, Page 6
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176THE DEFENCE ACT. Otago Witness, Issue 3114, 19 November 1913, Page 6
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