A SHEEP-FARMER'S WIFE.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14986, 5 June 1914, Page 8

A SHEEP-FARMER'S WIFE.

PRESBYTERIANS AND PATRIOTISM. TO rur. EDITOR OF "THE PP.ESS. ,, Sir, —About liiree weeks ago there appeared a cable i;i your paper btutiug that tho Prebvterian General Assemoly of .New South Wales had turned down a motion- against t.ie i>eience-, Act in tiie Commomveah-h. The details are now to hand. It was onl'v clause 1 oi the motion that was defeated. The remainder was remitted to a committee to consider and report I lie motion was:—

1. That, cim Assembly hereby e.\pre-s its disapproval of the compulsory clauses in the Defence Act as an interference with parental rights and tiie liberty of the subject. 2. That this Assembly urge the Government to amend the Defence Act by making provision for the following:— That the age of trainees be raised to at least eighteen, (b> That compulsory trainees shail not be deprived or any civil rights, and shall not be subject to court-martial except in time of war (c) That compulsory tramees in tae Navy shall not be takeli beyond Australasian waters exceot with the personal consent of those over twenty-one, or the written consent of the parents or guardians of those unde-twenty-one. (d) That an adequate conscience clause be inserted in the Act and full regard be had for religious convictions. > y v

About 30 per cent, of those votinc supported clause 1. Clause 2 and Bub clauses were remitted to a committed whose convener was Principal Harper Hoping that in fairness you will uublish the above statement, —Yours M^ r% •«♦ i. , Ci^ RLE S MURRAY. Christ-church, June 4th.