RELIGIOUS SCRUPLES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1206, 15 August 1911, Page 4

RELIGIOUS SCRUPLES.

— CHRIST ADETPHIAXS AND THE DB> FENCE LAW. (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondents Auckland, August 14. "As their father, I object on. religions grounds," stated a man in artisan s attiro at tho l'olico Court this morning when his two sons, Allen lercy Batten and Louis Beer Batten, appeared on a charge of failing to register under tho Defence Act for military training. In vain Sub-Inspector Hendry and lie Bench enlarged on tlw physical and mental benefits of military discipline and training, and explained that a kindly Dcfonco Department had provided means to meet religious scruples by Mich arms, to tho forces as ambnlanco corps. , "I thank you for trying to deal leniently with me," said'the Christadelplnan sadly. "I have no objection to my sons being made men of, and I don t wniit them to bfe thought cowards. I dont wish in any way to defy the law*, but I see another Power, and it is that lower mv boys and I serve. It is purely on religious grounds. As followers of Christ I don't wish them to talco up arms in dcfonco in any way, or to he bouud by tho law to do so. 1 know when n tiuo is imposed it means imprisonment, bccauso I am not in a position to pay, Jjut 1 am prepared to accept my 'burden. Asked by Sub-Inspector Hendry if .he were awaro that Mr. Taylor, a prominent member of his religious persuasion, had allowed his son to register on tho understanding that he was posted to an ambulance corps. Mr. Batten said lie was. lie added that Mr. Taylor hod, however, deplored the fact among his own church-''"he"Sub-Inspector offered to withdraw tho charges if the bovs would register on tho nwlcrstnndnig that I hey would bo muled to an ambulance corps.' The. Bench added: "I think you can t say Christ would |ie against ambulance ,N "No, sir, I think lie would not," replied (ho father, who thereupon put tho offer to his sons, but the two young Christadelphiaiis emphatically dccidcd to be martyrs, and the Bench regretfully ordered a fine of J!l each and costs.

Some minutes later in t:lve Court pro; (vecilin.es tho caso was mentioned again by the Sub-Inspector, who announced that, as the result of a conference with Captain Hawkins, the boys, who appeared to havo misunderstood tho position, . .had stated their willingness now to register. Captain Hawkins stated that the position was that when person!, with religions scruptes against militarism had complied with' the Act by redstering, tho matter was put before the Department for reconsideration with regard to their being posted. If 11 person on registering stated his religious scruples the fact was sent forward to headquarters, and having complied with the law ho would not he .posted on account of his religious objections. The. Bench agreed to rehear tho case, and tlio Sub-Inspector asked and was given permission to withdraw the informations, in order that the accused might be saved the expenso of fine and costs.