THE CHURCH AND DEFENCE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1217, 28 August 1911, Page 4

THE CHURCH AND DEFENCE.

» AUCKLAND MINISTERS FAVOUR COMPULSION. (By Telecrapb,-Special Correspondent.) Auckland, August 27. Two leading Auckland ministers wcto approached by a reporter with regard to tho recent action of tho Chnstchurch Ministers' Association in passing a resolulion condemning tho compulsory clauses of tho Defence Act, and pledging itsolf to work for their repeal. Tho Hew' I. Jelly, of 'St. Stephen a Presbyterian Church, said lie heartily approved of tho action lakon by tho Auckland Ministers' Association last week, when a deputation from the Peace Society waited on them in regard, (a this very matter. It was then resolved_ to leave all expression of opinion to individual minis* tors. Tho association very rightly decided that tho question was a purely political one upon which it was neither advisable nor necessary that a voto should be taken. As a matter of fact an unofficial ballot showed that tho majority were in favour of compulsory training for defence, and ho did not believe that it would tend in any way to encourage militarism, It was absolutely necessary for the proper defence of this country, and at 'the same time conferred obvious benefits upon its youth, who would beuetit physically and morally by being brought under military discipline. This view, ho believed, was that of the great majority of Presbyterian ministers. Tho llev. Knowles Kempton. of UlO Baptist Tabernacle, said lie afireed in tho view that the matter was one to l>a lett to individual opinion. Ho was giad to hear tho Canterbury ministers protest had been initiated by such a small number, for he did not believe that their view was eenerally shared by ministers _ elsewhere. He was convinced thai a majority in favour of the repeal of the Defenco Act could not be obtained from the Auckland association. So far as ho personally was concerned, his views went in favour of compulsorv training. With many others ho hated war, but as long as New Zealand remained n part of tho Umpire she would need an army for defence against aggression. There were ministers lie knew who look another attitude, and it would servo no good pm-nose if any association of ministers resolved 011 action in the matter when many of their brethren dissented.