CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 284, 2 December 1941, Page 4

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

Sir -Thr Presbyterian General Assemthy and Methodist Sxnods hate .one out of their wa> to express sympathy for conscientious objectors who. the; say, hate in many instances been treated unjustly. Tney have no sympathy at all for those serving on the tribunals estaolished to deal with conscientious oojectors. who, often enough, have oeen faced with difficult problems. Not satished with this, however, these bodies have also neglected to make a call on their young men to serve their King and country. Nevertheless, they prate much atxiut preserving the "freedom of the Christian conscience." What is this freedom? ft is a political freedom. It has oeen purchased at great cost and after much warfare in limes past. It is now being fought out by our boys, in so far as we are directly concerned, in the deserts of Libya. Were they not so opposed the enemies and destroyers of this freedom would long ere this have mastered the situat.on in the Middle East and before th s date would doubtless have destroyed every vestige of this or any other kind ot freedom in th.s country. The Presbyterian General Assembly and Methodist Synods seem to have overlooked this. This freedom is a result of the political or governmental ■ constitution of this country and of, other countries which are now tight-1 ing to maintain it. It seems in omprehensible that so clear-cut and serious an issue should he so confused by such bodies as the foregoing.—l am etc, D. SUTHERLAND.