CLERGY AND THE WAR.

Southland Times, Issue 17934, 27 January 1917, Page 2

CLERGY AND THE WAR.

To the Editor. Sir, —I would like to endorse the views of your correspondent, “Justice," whose letter appeared in this morning’s issue complaining of the practice of exempting clergymen drawn in the ballot. We were told that the members of that profession were to stand their trial .iust the same as everyone else, yet each appeal heard on behalf of these gentlemen is supplemented by the Minister of Defence stating that it is not in the public interest that these men should do their part in defending their country, or in other words they cannot be done without. Now, Sir, the Hon. J. Allen is continually saying he is going to enforce the Compulsion Act without fear or favour, yet he is really directing the Appeal Boards to grant the appeal of these ministers of the various denominations. I maintain he is showing partiality to this section of the people, while other sections have to battle for themselves in making their ground strong before the Board. The Defence Department is responsible for the administration of the Act, and they should allow each case to be dealt with on its merits by the Boards they have appointed, instead of using their influence on behalf of this or that one .iust because they happen to have' adopted a certain profession by which to make a living. It would little matter if half the churches in the dominion closed down till the close of the war and left the clergy free to do their duty to their country. The half that that remained open would still accommodate the church going people, and many of the remaining parsons would get a little more much needed exercise in attending to the duties of their brethren of the cloth who went forth to do battle for their country. Besides I know of nothing that would stimulate 'church life generally more than to see the men who have been advocating the young men of their congregations to fight for their country, go themselves and take their place in the trenches, side by side with those they have been preaching to. They will then he fulfilling the old proverb :