DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 77, 23 November 1912, Page 7

DOMINION NEWS.

CHAPLAINS’ COMMISSIONS

(Per Press Association.)

Palmerston N., November 22

The Wanganui District Methodist Synod to-day discussed a matter of interest to the whole Dominion affecting the relations of chaplains with the Defence Department. The .Rev. J. A. Luxford, chaplain, has been corresponding with the Defence authorities regarding the instructions issued to him, in common with other chaplains, to hand in his commission, to have certain alterations made relating to the duties of the office. The Synod passed the following resolution:— “Having heard the correspondence between the Rev. J. A. Luxford and the Defence authorities, this Synod advises its senior chaplain not to hand in his commission for correction without, assigned reasons, as arbitrarily commanded by the 0.C.D., until tile whole matter has been discussed by the forthcoming conference, for it views the order as an indignity offered, not only to Mr Luxford, but also to the Church which he represents.” It lias been ascertained from the Defence authorities that there is no suggestion of friction, but merely that a desire exists on the part of Mr Luxford to have the matter ventilated and the position defined. In reference to the Palmerston telegram re military chaplaincy, the Rev. J. A. Luxford states that he has been instructed that as chaplain of the Defence Force he does not hold rank, although both his commission and Irs South African medal acknowledge the rank. He insists that the action •( the Defence Department is ultra virus, because section 9, part 1, of the Defence Act, conserves rank to all officers of the late Volunteer Companies. A SEACLIFF WARDER. Dunedin, November ‘22. At the Police Court to-day Edward Goodall, an ex-attendant at Seaeldf Mental Hospital, was charged with having unlawfully struck and ill treated a patient. The case for the prosecution was that the accused .truck a patient with his hands and a stick, and also kicked him, inflicting tolerably severe but not dangerous injury. Ito defence was that the patient ref us id to work, and accused gave him a shake. Accused reserved his defence and was committed for trial. Bail was allowed in his own recognisance of iAK/ and two sureties of £-30 each.