RELIGIOUS OBJECTORS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 191, 2 May 1918, Page 4

RELIGIOUS OBJECTORS

STATEMENT BY MTOISTEft OT DEFENCE. By Telegraph-I'ross Association. Hamilton, May 1. In connection with the recent exemption of a largo number of Scvonth Day Adventists by the Second Military Service Board at Hamilton, Mv. J. A. lpung, the momber for Waiknto, referred the matter to tho Minister o.S Defence, and su"''estod that some statement should be made on tho matter. ,He has received tho following reply from the Minister! •"Eo tho Soventh Day Adventists, tho ■position is that lesetvists who are riW, and havo been since August i, 1914, / cither adherents or members of tins Church aro religious objectors vitlnn tlie definition of Section 18, Sub-section 1, ot tho Military Servico Act, and are therefore entitled to havo their .appeals allowcd on signing an undertaking to do noncombatant servico m tho employ of tho Executive Government as prescribed by regulations on April 21, 1917. This noncombatant servico consists of work on a central development farm undor tho Agricultural Department at soldiers rato of pay. Soveoth Day Adventists, therefore, whoso appeals havo been adjourned sine die, will bo sent to work on a State farm at soldiers' rato of pay. .1 ho wholo question is governed by statute. Tho Churches whoso members come with, in tho statutory definition of religious I objectors aro Christadelphmn, Quaker, I and Seventh Day Advohtist." Comment has been raado at tho Jarso number of tho last-named dealt with at Hamilton, but it is understood that all members of this body iu tlio North Island havo their claims heard here, henco tho apparent disproportion.