MILITARY TRAINING.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18238, 24 November 1924, Page 6

MILITARY TRAINING.

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTIONS.

MAGISTRATE GRANTS EXEMPTIONS.

. Applications foj exemptions from military training, made on behalf of youths who held conscientious objections, were granted .by Mr H. Y. Widdowson, S.M., in the Magistrate;'s Court on Saturday, though the Magistrate determinedly refused to allow the applicants to harangue- him on ' the lines of "Thou shalt. not kill." , A secondary schoolboy. 14 years of age, applied for total exemption from military training pn the ground that it was against his religious views. His father appeared with him and gave evidence in support of the application. The father of the lad, a Christian Scientist, said that he did not believe in military training. He considered that it did not . uplift or protect the nation. If there was a better system he might believe.in it, but as there was not, be believed- in the Higher protection. Before the war he did believe in drill; in fact, he believed in it until three years ago. "You see, your Worship,'' he continued, "if you hit me I wouldn't hit yo'u back," but then I'm really hitting you harder than if I hit you by not hitting you!. You follow what I mean, sir 1" ■ "No, I don-'t," replied the Magistrate. "You know what is written in the Bible ? If you are hit on one cheek turn the other one and then let him have it. What would you have done if the Germans had invaded this country? If they had hit you with a bayonet-, would you have hit them back?" "No," the father answered, "I don't think I would have done so, your Worship. I think that if I had been kind to them they could not have hit me. I gather all- that from the Bible, at least from the New' Testament.," and 1 ! believe it. The Christian Science believes in the-truth, and I'have. the truth.and protection within myself. lam quite loyal to the nation, and I am doing more for it in a higher way than military training." .'.'Oh, don't preach to me," said-the Magistrate. "All I can say to. yoii is that you'd be better .without it. Thank heaven I don'£ think as you do."

"Do you believe' it, too?" he asked, the boy. "Yes, sir," was the reply. "I suppose that is because your father tells you it's right." ,■ Exemption.was grafted. Another boy, an International Bible student, iipplied for exemption on a similar ground. His mother, who accompanied him, said, in a quiet voice, that she and her husband had believed that military training was against their faith long before the Great War. "Do you believe it, too!" aßked the Magistrate of the boy. "Yes," whs the murmured'reply, "and one of'the Ten Commandments says, 'Thou shalt not kill.' " His Worship threw up . his hands. "For heaven's sake," he Baid, "don't preach to me I Read a verse in one of the last chapters of St.. Matthew, and see if you can understand it. I know better' people ,than you 'who can't. Well, anyway, I'm sure the military people don't want you; you're more b other than you 're worth!'' Exemption was granted. "We've always,.believed that military training was against our religious views,'? said the mother of another International Student who also asked for exemption., - - - : "You believe it, too, I ouppose? asked his-Worship of'-the boy.'- ' ' "Oh, yes, sir,":. he answered. ' "Very well, I'suppose I'll have-'to grant it." The application was granted. And yet another case : was called. "This is the most unusual case I've struck," said the Magistrate as he read a letter from the applicant who, however, did not appear. "He'says: 'I belong to tho Anglican Church, and it is contrary to my religious views.' Is the boy present?" he asked. "No, Bir," Baid the clerk. As there-was no. appearance the case was struck out.