STUDENT PACIFISTS

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19662, 23 August 1935, Page 10

STUDENT PACIFISTS

WAR SERVICE OPPOSED. •CHURCH SUPPORTS ATTITUDE. DUNEDIN, Thursday. The congregation of Knox Church was taken by surprise at the annual meeting last night when it found itself faced with a resolution promising support to those of its members who became conscientious objectors to any future war in which New Zealand may become involved. Tlte business of the meeting had been concluded- and the congregation bad risen to iLs feet preparatory to the minister, the Rev. D. C. Herron, pronouncing the Benediction, when the resolution bearing on war service was introduced. The mover was Mr Angus Boss, of Knox College, holder of the Ross Fellowship for historical research, who chose Litis dramatic moment -to say: “In view of the strained position of world affairs, I think it would be as well if we passed such a motion as litis: ‘That, in the event of the outbreak of a war in which New Zealand is involved, this meeting commends to the moral support of the congregation those members who declare themselves to be conscientious objectors on religious grounds.’ There is no need to go over tile possibilities of war,” Mr Ross continued. “ The Church lias made a definite break with tradition of [he past. It no longer upholds the view ‘ my country, right or wrong.’ When Christ came as Prince of Peace'we did not expect that we should use the weapons of present-day warfare to achieve our end. I therefore move this resolution.’’ i The resolution was put and carried with two dissenting votes. Inquiries made later to-night produced an assertion that about 20 per cent, of the students at Otago University could be regarded as supporting the pacifist viewpoint apd that this number was growing steadily. Leaders of the Student Christian Movement said that fully 50 per cent, of their number subscribed to pacifist principles.

PACIFICISM QUESTIONED. .MOVEMENT NOT WIDESPREAD. (By Telegraph.—press Association.) DUNEDIN, Thursday. Regarding Hie pacifist motion passed by members of -Knox Church at their annual meeting, Dr, Ilawksworlh, president of the Students’ Union, questioned the statement that 20 per cent, of the students of Otago subscribed to the pacifist viewpoint. He said there was no such definite movement in the University as a whole.

The Knox College movement could not speak for the University and his own opinion was that the student body as a whole would certainly fall into line with the people of the Dominion if. called up to fight.