“PROMOTING PEACE"

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10774, 28 February 1928, Page 7

“PROMOTING PEACE"

MINISTERS AT VARIANCE. Electric Telegraph—Frees Association CHRISTCHURCH, February 25. The pent-up feelings of many of the protagonists at the Methodist Conference on the thorny question of pacifism found expression at last flight's session in a debate .which was described by a member as the most disorderly scene lie had ever known in order to promote peace. An argument developed between the Rev. W. Walker and the Rev. S. Lawry on the report of the Temperance and Public Moral Committee. The Rev. E. O. Blamires remarked: “I move that these two gentlemen continue their fight outside.” About half a. dozen members tried to speak at the same time, and the president, the Rev, W. J. Elliott, sharply called the conference to order. The Rev. P. N. Knight raised a point of order, but iiis remarks could not be heard owing to the din of interruptions. An amendment by Mr Blamires that the Temperance and Public Morals Committee consult with the Christchurch committee was put to the meeting and declared carried. Several members called for a division, but 1 in the general confusion this was overlooked. No sooner had the conference disposed of the peace manifesto than a fresh argument developed over the attitude of the church towards conscientious objectors. Mr L. Mdsitt said that he had fought consistently for the rights of genuine conscientious objectors, such as the members of the Society of Friends and the Quaker sect, but was strongly opposed to ass’sting the skirker. He described how some years ago he had been followed from the Knox schoolroom to the Square by a crowd of pacifists shouting, “We’ll hr.ng old Isitt oil the sour apple tree.” A member: “Hear, bear.” Mr Isitt said that he considered the conference was quite wrong in discussing the question that night. It would be far wiser to let the matter pass on with the rest of the pacifist questions to the quarterly meeting and the, synods. He moved to that effect. The Rev. A. J. Seamer considered that conscientious objectors should do something for tlioir cioiuntry. Mr Sharpe: “Can we reply to this ?” The president: “Yes, if you want to stay here all night.” The -Rev. W. T. Blight said the administration of the Act was at fault. Tn Auckland the magistrates took a different interpretation of the Act from that taken by other magistrates. If a boy was a conscientious objector to military training on religious grounds, no one would object to him being granted exemption. There was no two minds in the conference on that question. Mr Isitt: “Pardon me.” The amendment moved by Mr Isitt was carried on the voices.