The Dominion. TUESDAY, JULY 18, 1911. CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1182, 18 July 1911, Page 4

The Dominion. TUESDAY, JULY 18, 1911. CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS.

Am Auckland telegram in yesterday's issue reports the substance of a discussion between the Acting-Min-ister for Defence and a delegation from tho Quakers of Auckland concerning the compulsory training scheme, to which the country is committed. There is a world of difference between the position taken up by the Society of Friends and the pathetically foolish attitude of the Socialists. It is possible to feel some respect for the Quaker attitude in this matter and most_ thoughtful people do respect it while deploring it, for it has its basis in a deep religious conviction. With the Socialists the matter is quite different. They do not oppose military training on any religious ground; they simply say, in effect, that war is a dodge of "hated capital" and that the compulsory training scheme was really established in order that the capitalist may bo able to force the workers to defend his capital. To do the Socialists justice, some of them further argue that military training and defensive activity of every kind are outrages on "the brotherhood of man." It is quite impossible cither to listen to or feel any sympathy for an agitation so perversely ahd wilfully blind to plain facts, although one may pity tho disordered imaginations of the few individuals who are vainly setting their delusions against the combined forces of patriotism and common sense. The problem they set the authorities is a perfectly simple one, and we may note here our satisfaction at the straight-forward decision of the authorities to take no notice of the outcry of these misguided people. The problem set by the position of the Society of Friends is not by any means an easy one. The Auckland deputation 'told tho Minister that "they did not wish to be regarded as unpatriotic, but they positively refused to become part of the military paraphernalia, and suggested they might be considered to conform to the law by joining some such society m the St. John Ambulance Association."

This is not the first time, of course, that the Friends have made representations to the Government. A local deputation, towards the end of 1909, waited upon Sir Joseph Ward, who gave them a reply that was tactful and discreet, but that left the question still open. The ActingMinister seems to have done exactiy the same thing in Auckland, although he pointed out that "if the Friends were allowed an unlimited exemption their Society would become so enlarged by people wishing to escape military duty . that the whole position would become a farce." Upon reflection, we arc sure, the Acting-Minister will realise that in the sentence we have quoted he uncovered the hopelessness of the case of "conscience." The section of the Act of 1909 that deals with conscientious objections on • religious grounds reads:

Nothing in this Act shall require any person to bear arms or perform or undergo military service or training if the doctrines of his religion forbid him to do so, but every such-person shall be liable to perform as an equivalent to such service and (raining such non-combatant duties as are prescribed by tho Governor-in-Council: The burden of proving exemption, under this section shall rest on tho person claiming exemption. The Acting-Minister has pointed out how tho exemption here provided for can be taken advantage of by anybody who chooses to call himself a member of tho Society of Friends. But we greatly doubt whether even that plea would bo necessary to anyone anxious to be exempted.. There are countless religions already, and anybody can devise a new religion for himself of any shape and colour he pleases and can claim exemption under the section quoted. What means has the State of constituting any tribunal to say of any known religion exactly what it imposes upon those- professing it ? It is perfectly obvious that the section cannot be made truly and justly operative. So we arc led to the bald fact that conscientious objections cannot bo admitted at all. They can be entertained only by establishing privileges for certain religions. The position has its embarrassments and in cases its hardships, but these arc minor considerations compared with the national issue involved. The Government can rest assured that it will meet with the support of the great bulk of the community in insisting that the country's scheme of defence shall not be imperilled by opening the door to exemptions which will create precedents of a dangerous kind.