CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17711, 15 May 1929, Page 8

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

CASE OF PRESBYTERIAN STUDENT. AUCKLAND, Wednesday. The question’of compulsory military training and the question of conscientious objectors, which was so prominently before the Auckland Presbytery at various times last year, was again before it at its meeting last evening. The case of John McDougall, of Auckland, a student in training for the ministry of the Presbyterian Church, was made an order of the day. When invited by the moderator, the Rev. E. R. Harris, to slate his case, the lad told the presbytery that he carnc up before the Court last year for refusing to go on with his military training. lie applied for exemption on religious grounds but the magistrate refused it, apparently on the ground that lie was a Presbyterian. l ln May of last, year the presbytery adopted a resolution claiming for its young men the same right to have conscientious objection to military training as is allowed to members of other communions, and at the same time enjoining conscientious objectors to prove their good faith by offering some form of alternative non-military service.

It was agreed to reaffirm this resolution and to give a copy of it to John McDougall.