MILITARY TRAINING.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1384, 9 March 1912, Page 4

MILITARY TRAINING.

DISCUSSION BY METHODIST CON* FERENCE. (Br TelepMtt-Proti Aiiootitlon.) Auckland, Marob. 8. Iβ mill tar j- training desirable P was the momentous question the Mothodiet Couforence set itself to answer to-day. The Rev. J. W. Burton, of New Ply. mouth, introduced the matter, by movmj the following motion:— ' "That we, the ministers and delegate! of tho Methodist Church of New Zealand, herebv place on record our earnest desire for peace between the nations and the establishment of arbitration as .lie. only rational and just method, of settling international disputes, and wo hereby,pledge ourselves to employ overy■•legitimate means to advance tho causoof the brother, hood of the human raco and the abolition of race hatred between civilised peopie; further, wo view with alarm tlie growing tendencies towards militarism a> embodied in the recent legislation so contrary to tho teaching and example ol Christ, and we emphatically condemn the Compulsory Military Training Act of 1009, and pledgo ourselves to work for its repeal. Wo hereby convey to our Methodist brethren in all countries our heartfelt longing for the peaceful settlement of all immediate differences, and assure them of our Christian lovo,, and we trust that a true Christian spirit will govern our relationships in' tho future. Mr. Burton eald it was * very mat subject, but it was ono that was troubling the whole world to-day. Ho was not a faddist. He did not belong to ft poaco society ot an auti-militonrt society. Hβ was movinff the resolution because be was Kdffhls own mind that; ttar must do their best to bring about universal P The Hon. G. J. Smith, M.L.C., who is Officer Commanding the Ist Canterbury, Infantry Regimont, said ho wished to pay a tribute to tho fair-minded manner in which Mr. Burton had treated his subject. If the opponents of militarism wore all as reasonable they would probablj get on a groat deal better. He W.a somewhat difficult task in moving, ou amendment. Mr. Burton had l.'.trodS a note into the discussion that be had scarcely expected, tbat of personal bravery and sympathy, and tho actual teaching of Christ. As far as war wae concerned, he did not think that in tho whole of tho Military camps m Now Zealand would they find five men who would eupport war. The Governthere was 3 no one in this country who could compel them to do so. ■™s bew* so, where was the aggression P Hβ believed tho ultimate solution would bo nternational arbitration, but they had ta take tho position ns they, found it. Hβ moved as an amendment:"That while deploring tho necessity for a defence force in New Zealand, this conference commends tho principle of universal training as tho most equitable way of supplying sich a defence force. IMras suggested that Mr. Burton should propose tho second paragraph or his motion as a separate motion, and Mr. Burton agreed to this. His motion embodying tho other two clauses was tuoa nut, and carried on tho voices. Mr. Smith's amendment was negatived by 58 votes to 57. . - , A further amendment that the conference reaffirm th« resolution of the previous year was agreed to as follows:— "That in viow of tho fact that there aro persons in the Dominion whoso consciences aro not-relieved by Section 92 of the Act, this conference earnestly requests the Legislature to so amend that section as to givo the desired relief, and is of opinion that 'such relief would bo secured if tho section wero amended to read as follows H« Nothing m this Act shall require any person to boar arnis or to perform or undergo military serwM-or training if lie, being of age, or his father or his mother or gunrdimi, should he be a minor, on conscientious grounds object to s doiiiK bo. (1!) Objection tp be etntetod orAll and *& rimed /*««(> ary form before a Justice of the lcaco.