WAIKATO PRESBYTERY.

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17786, 10 August 1929, Page 9

WAIKATO PRESBYTERY.

MILITARY OBJECTORS. At the meeting of the Presbytery of Waikato the following motions were carried: — '“That Presbytery supports the Assembly's Public Questions Committee in asking for an assurance from the Prime Minister that the declaration of the Minister of Justice regarding no discrimination between the denominations of conscientious objectors and Hie early gazetting of alternative service prescribed by the Governor-Gcnerai-in-Council shall be confirmed.”

"That Presbytery urges that the I Prime Minister’s proposal to exempt j divinity students should be extended ! to all persons whose conscientious j objections to military service are certified by trustworthy witnesses with j due regard to the obligation to render i alternative non-military service as i prescribed by the Governor-in-Coun- ; oil’.’ , | "The Presbytery, while appreciating j the Prime Minister’s desire to meet J

tile situation, repudiates the suggcs- j lion that students for the ministry : should receive preferential treatment! over other young men who may claim ; exemption on the grounds of consci- j dice.” .... ••The' Presbytery points out the in- ; justice of allowing the present heavy j sentence to he upon Richards and : Miller while the justice of exempting j such objectors is at the same time , acknowledged by the. Prime Minister.. . . ,;j Presbytery therefore respectfully I . dpicsls the prime Minister to take i necessary steps with reference to i tno remission of l.ne sentences.” j i’iiat following the resolution of | tlie (jciietai .i»a>...iuiy, this Presbytery : affirms its conviction that the time lias i now come when the Compulsory j Training Act should lie repealed.”

Facilities for Gambling. “This Presbytery deplores the proposals to increase facilities for gambling contained in the proposed amendments to the Gaming Act whereby racing dividends will be published and tlie telegraph services thrown open for the transmission of he Is; and strongly urges members of Parliament lu reject these proposals as tending to increase the growing evil of gambling and not calculated to remedy the already notorious evil of bookmaking." Sabbath Observance. “That Presbytery once more desires to protest against the running, of excursion trains on Sunday, thereby encouraging Sabbath desecration."