CLERGY AND THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3011, 23 February 1917, Page 6

CLERGY AND THE WAR

PRESBYTERIANS URGE EQUALITY! ( OF TREATMENT. :

By' Telegraph—Press . Dunedin, February 2z. The- Public Questions Committee of the Dunedin Presbytery unanimous-' ly agreed to appeal to the Minister for Defence to take such steps : as will secure for ministers of all denomina-* tiohs equality of treatment linder the Military Service Act. If any minister,? are to bo exempted; then all ministers should be exempted. Tt ministers are not exempted as a class, then those who cannot serve in the , fighting line because of canon law or, vows laid upon them should he called upon to render such non-combatant service as required by the State. SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE PRO«. TESTS. v . . _: By Telegraph—Press Association. ;. Christchurch, February 22. The following telegram has been sent to Sir James Allen (Acting-Pvime Minister) by the .Canterbury Second Division League:—"The Canterbury Second Division League emphatically protests against exemption being granted to any clergy until being considered by, our organisations." . ' MARIST OLD BOYS' RESOLUTIONS, At the fortnightly meeting of the , Wellington Marist Bros.' 5 Old Boys , ' Association held last night, the following resolution"'was passed unanimously:—"That in view of the fact .that, firstly, over 500 members of this association are now fighting for the Empire; and, secondly, that among these men are Captain A. J. Shout, whose valour .-at Gallipoli gained for him the. Military Cross, the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and the Victoria Cross; and Lieutenant who was awarded the Military Cross; tin's association considers itself entitled to express its opinion, and protests most emphatically against the clorgy and religious brothers being compelled to serve in the army; and, further,' asserts that not one of the 500 men now sorvrag would have volunteered if , they had known that their spiritual lenders worn to he called in a military ballot. The association heartily endorses the rrcpiit action of His Grace Archbishop O'Shea in this connection, and nledges itself to Tender him all possible support." -