THE CONSCRIPTION OF THE CLERGY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3190, 14 September 1917, Page 6

THE CONSCRIPTION OF THE CLERGY

Sir,—lβ it possible that the National Government, which passed a Conscription Act, which (if impartially administered) ia fair to all citizens, irrespective 01 class or creed, is now (at tliia late time of day), and from pressure of political expediency of the. most contemptible type. . eoine to recognise , , a privileged class? It is bad enough that any class should, claim exemption from national or even, from military service at such a timeindeed, at any time-when righteousness are at stake; but, that thevery class that professes to hpe aa almost exclusive and proprietary interest in the ethic of Jesus, and that *eeps Eternally-proclaiming the claims and obligation of self-sacrifice, would be the first to shirk Hie call of iionour-and of duty in the cause of humanity; should, - surely give us pause! Think of it! How can, in all conscience, young, ablebodied .'unmarried clergymen ask to be. aliowed to confine themselves to praying (in their homes or churches) for the success of our Empire's cause, while nere schoolboys are to. be invited to fight, for such gallant exponents of the Gospel of self-sacrifice? Nay more; think of the father of small cniidreji being, called upon to fight for such ' privileged "f.Uants! Yet olice more, think of the. brightest intellects of our university-col-leges nobl) volunteering to servo thtir country, and dying by, hundreds-at its. cali, while young, able-bodied ecclesiastics (many of them of the humolest educational equipment) ciaim exemption, and have their claims allowed by a pusillanimous Government! Again, young men, who married since the war began, havo'been as good as branded cowards and shirkers; and, as a-n indignity, conscripted in the l'irst Division, wnile able-uodied priests and. parsons actually conscripted have been (in despite of the Military Service Act; accorded exemption. iud their unjustly and irregularly accorded exemption is now to be, it appears, legalised by mon. who call themselves "representatives, of tho people!" ■ Further, young, able-bodied pnestsand parsons who Tiave been "ordained" sinets • tho war began are to bo exempted, v.-hilo the recently-married young men havfi T)°en, almost all, already conscripted v Tlie injusticu and the it all calls to High Heaven for redress — lam, etc., mGn nIcKF^ /jW .