ADVENTURES OF A PACIFIST

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 243, 2 July 1918, Page 6

ADVENTURES OF A PACIFIST

RIOT .IN A CHURCII. Tho pence propaganda of the Rev. T. B. Roseby, which culminated in a riot in his church at Orange recently, and created a great revulsion of feeling amongst the Oraage public, is creating intense bitterness between loyalists ami auti-Conscriptionists (says the Sydney

"Sun"). Mr. Roseby has been holding meetings at various outsido ■ centres, and it is reported that one meeting was attended by an alien subject ivho has to report himself to the police every week. It is known that one of Mr. Roseby's supporters in Orange is the son of an alien subject who is required to report himself every week. Owi/ig to Mr. Roseby's statements, Police-Inspector Lewis before the riot made reports to the [S'olice Department, and, also to Lieutenant Link-later, chief </f tho recruiting staff at Orange; but the reports iwere unheeded. Citizens vrere v.p in arms, but refrained from committing personal violence till a fortnight ago, when returned soldiers and residents arranged io go to tho church and ask Mr. Roseby point-blank why he w-Duld not honour the National Anthem. Re was dragged out of the pulpit, but jv-iis not injured, although the free tight overturned l>enclies and smashed one side of the pulpit, and men were hitting indiscriminately. Women screamed and rushed for the exits, while some got nnder the seats to auVd injury, ' The meetings ivere held weekly under tlie title War and Peace, and parents with sons at: the front resented Mr. Roseby's statements. Some women stood up with tears streaming down their faces and anathematised the speaker, who look no notice of them. He said he desired to save soldiers who were 'being sacrificed in this war of nations 1 , sacrificed oh the aliar of Mars ill "Europe. "I will noi sing 'God Save the lung* be said, "for the reason that it is not a National Anthem, as it is not symbolical of the notion's greatness or character. and the more you exalt the throne, with its hereditary privileges, the more you minimise national liberty and selfgovernment. If this war continues, the loss and misery in the world will be increased, nnd it will not be brought to a successful termination by further bloodshed. Britain must first declare, an armistice, and the greatest, dignity and honcvur would altiich to what is so much in the interests of humanity. Australia's future, he .said, is in Australia, and it would be far. better if the people realised it.. Australia has no chance of developing her vast resources 'if she thinks it necessary to take part in foreign wars. . We in this isolated island continent have plenty to do to solve our own problems in our own sphere of life and influence. Australians can settle Australia's business."

Mr. Roseby is a son of Dr. Roseby and a strong supporter of Labour principles. AY hen in Orange five years ago lie addressed meetings in favour of the Labour candidate, but resigned his charge on account of doctrinal differences. He was apopinted to Kurri Ivurri, and afterwards went to England. He graduated from the position of paymaster in _ the Postal Department of New South Wales for the ministry. Owing to his peace propaganda many of his adherents have left his church, considering that his utterances were preventing men from joining up and giving' a pro-German sentiment to the whole scheme.