A CHAPLAIN'S RESIGNATION.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13420, 18 March 1914, Page 3 (Supplement)

A CHAPLAIN'S RESIGNATION.

CRITICISM AND DISCIPLINE

At the Baptist . Church on Sunday evening the Rev. W. E. Lambert announced that he had resigned his commission as chaplain to the Nelson forces. He protested strongly against the military authorities' attempt to rob a chaplain' of his right of free speech in pulpit and public Press, and also to criticise publicly the holding of week-end parades. He urged his hear-, ers to report in the public Press anything that came undar their notice that was harmful to y;>i;;ig men. This was the only method, ho said, that would bring about the ck'-:i;ed: and necessary improvements, "as the Defence Departmenb disliked and t<?arod public criticism, hence its reiHin-.'iSS to suggest Departmental inquiries. Was it any wonder that anti-railitsirist© were rising up in their mhi.;i, -wl:i>n such tactics were being a ; .!,-;:iuHl by the military authorities? .\lv Lambert . also read the following let!;r from the Defence Department, and his reply thereto:—

"N.Z. Military Forces, Headquarters, Canterbury Military District, February 13th, 1914. "The Rev. W. E. liambei-t, Chaplum to the Forces, Nelso:?. —I am directed to draw your attention 'to .paragrapli 193 General Regulation® (> ■ copy of which was sent you on the 12ta inst.). A letter has appeared in the "Nelson Evening Mail" of the 10t.li inst. over your name, which is considered to be subversive of discipline and contrary to the above-quoted regulation. lam further directed by the officer commandinpthe district to inform you that any similar case of contravention of the regulations on your part will be reported to the General Officer Commanding.—W. R. Pinwill. Major, General Staff, for A.A. and Q.M.G. Canterbury Military Districts." '

''Baptist Mnns'e, Nolson, •'February -.16th, 1914. "Captain W, R. Pin will. • "Sir, —I acknowledge receipt of your letter dated February 13th, and also copies of N.Z. Regulations, 1911. and the N.Z. Army List, which arrived this ; morning. I have read paragraph 193 of the General Regulations, sud note 'your interpretation thereof. As my occitpying the honorary position of chap-! lain to the .forces, robs me of free speech and-access to the Press I ask the Defence Department to accept my resignation forthwith. 1 . protest strongly to tins attempt to rob any man of his rights, and value_ too high'v |my liberty, as a parent, citizen, ana "Christian minister, to submit to such, injugtiee. It; is vo-ry evident that ministers can render-bettor service ,to the young men of + his Dominion by declining to accept the position of chaplain. I—Yours faitMuUy, Wm. E. Lambert." J