CHURCH ON DEFENCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 528, 28 November 1928, Page 6

CHURCH ON DEFENCE

“DICTATING TO STATE” CONTROVERSY AT ASSEMBLY CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS “You must either abolish the military forces altogether or see to it that they are efficient, it is altogether a mistake to take up the position of dictating the form of military service to the State.” The veteran chaplain of the Presbyterian Church, the Rev. D. Dutton, expressed his opinion ou military training in these words last evening to General Assembly. The subject proved to be highly controversial. The Rev. Dr. J. Gibb, presenting (lie report of the Public Questions Committee, moved the following motion. “Reaffirm the resolution of last assembly regarding military training, and the rights of conscience; approve the action of the committee in supporting the claims of Messrs. Richards, Byrt and Miller for exemption; and instruct the committee to continue its efforts to obtain a ruling of the Governor-in-Council regarding au alternative form of service for conscientious objectors.” Dr. Gibb agreed to divide his motion into two, the first ending at “conscience.” The Rev. W. McLean (Oamaru) condemned as “unfair and improper Dr. Gibb’s reference to the resolution as having been carried unanimously by the last assembly. Further intervention by Mr. McLean led Dr. Gibb to exclaim: “I shall step down from the rostrum and leave the house if there is any more of this.” “You must leave the control of the meeting to me,” ordered the Moderator, Professor W. Hewitson. The resolution of last assembly declared the inviolability of the rights of the individual conscience, recognised that a Christian might feel obliged to refuse military service, and claimed for members of the church the rights of exemption provided by law. CHURCH AND SWORD The Rev. Dr. S. W. Currie agreed wifh the Rev. D. Dutton, and Mr. Coleman (Hawera) asked if there was a church in the world that owed more to the sword than did theirs. They should be the last to raise their voices against the Defence Act. If a man felt he could not render military service he should think twice before seeking to enter the ministry of their church. Those ministers were going to teach children, and what 'Would they, put in their minds? “Conscientious objectors take a, cankered view of life,” declared the Hon. J. B. Gow, who said that a very serious mistake had been made by the assembly in pronouncing against compulsory military service. It' it were right to defend their country, at all, then it was a duty that should be shared equally by all. Force was behind every form of government, and these objectors would gladly avail themselves of it. He was sorry this pacifist idea, largely fathered by Di\ Gibb, had obtained such a sway over the assembly. The Rev. Dr. Erwin, of Christchurch, said that disarmament could come only by mutual compact among the nations and that had not been reached. Dr. Gibb’s motion was declared carried by 99 to 60. Bringing forward the second part of his resolution. Dr. Gibb said that it had seemed to the committee, that the authorities in this matter were regarding the decisions of the church with indifference and, indeed, with contempt. On arrival in Auckland he learned a very significant thing, that on the very morning of the prosecution of young Richards a telegram was received from the Minister Of Defence that the prosecution was withdrawn. The authorities had evidently .become aware that they were driving, the Church into a position of antagonism to the whole military system. TROUBLE CAUSED The Rev. W. McLean said he opposed the motion, although he had supported the previous one. These particular men had caused a good deal of trouble to the local Presbytery. They were immature young men, who had not considered the question from.all points of view; and they were under the influence of an older man. He lost confidence in the conscientious objector when he refused all service. Mr. Logau (Rangiora) moved that the second part of the motion instructing- the committee to continue should be deleted. The matter should now be allowed to drop. This was seconded by the Rev. D. Dutton. The Rev. Morgan Richards, father of the lad whose name has been so prominent in the controversy, said the public questions committee could not do otherwise than it had done. The father of another of the lads, Mr. M. J. Byrt (Kaitaia), said his boy had been one of the keenest of cadets and non-commissioned officers until he had changed his views at the university. The voting on the amendment was very even and Dr. Gibb agreed to accept the amendment. His motion was carried, on tlie voices.