"I REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING.”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 17946, 3 May 1928, Page 9

"I REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING.”

-RELIGIOUS STUDENT'S .. OBJECTION. LEFT TO SERGEANT-MAJOR. - Br' T»l«*rsph—T>re«» Amoelstlon. AUCKLAND, May 2. i \ Thtemption from military training on religious grounds was refused to J. M.'McDougall, a. youth studying for the , Presbyterian Ministry, in the ' Police Court to-day. Tn a letter to the Court, McDougall said: “I am a student fpr the ministry of ’tffe'‘Presbytefian ■ Church, and am a conscientious believer in the. teaching find example of Jesus Christ. I c-artnot‘‘take part in war, or assist in env-war to destroy the lives of my fellow-men. Hence lam unable to • take part in anv preparation for war.;’ “Physical drill is practically all this fcadet is askeid to do,”'said the representative of the Defence Department. “HeiwilLbe a cadet for another year,” Turning to defendant, the Magistrate ashed : “What are you going to do “about it?” McDougall: “I refuse to drill. I refuse to parade. v I refuse to do anvthing.Conneetcd with war or defence.” The Magistrate: “Anything else you want to say? Do you want to call am\eviclence?” McDotumll: “No. Tdo not, hut I will * not drill or parade.” The .Magistrate (smiling) : “Well, von., just to 1 ! that, to the Sergennt- ' Major ion the parade ground, and if l:e is the sort of Serceant-Major I think he is, he will endeavour to teach you differently. AH you have to do is .physical jerks. It is good for you.”