MILITARY TRAINING

Hokitika Guardian, 26 November 1924, Page 4

MILITARY TRAINING

l - | COXSCTKXTIOl T S OBJECTIONS. I C'HIUSTCII URCH, Xov. 21. Applications for exemptions from military training made on behalf uf youths who held conscientious objections, were granted hy Air If. A'. AViddowsoti, S.AE. in the Atngistnitc’s Court on Saturday, though the Magistrate determinedly refused to allow the applicants to harangue him on the lines of “Thou shalt not kill.’’ A secondary schoolboy, FI years i.( age, applied for total exemption from miltary training on the ground that it was against his religious views. His father appeared with him and gave evidence in support of the application. The father of the lad. a Cluistian Scientist, said that he did not believe in military training He considered that it did not ill lift or 1 i'otect the nation. IF there was a better system lie might believe in it, hut as there was not, lie believd in the Higher protection. Before the war he did believe I in drill; in fact, lie liclicvcd in it until three years ago ‘‘You see, your AVor- ■ .ship,'’ he continued, “if you hit me I wouldn't hit you hack, hut then I’m really hitting you harder than if 1 hit : you by not hitting you! Vcu follow . what I mean, sir?’’ | "No. I don’t,” replied the Alagistiate. “Von know what is written in ■ the Rihle? If you are hit on one check i turn the other one and then let him 1 have it. What would you have done if the Gormans had invaded this country? If they had hit you with a lniyoir-t, would you have hit them hack?” "Xo.” the father answered, "I don't think I would have done so, your War - ship. 1 think that if I had been bird ‘ to them they could imt have hit me. 1 ‘ gather all that from the Bible, .it least : from the Now Testament, and I boli e/o it. The Christian .Science believes in the truth, and I have the truth and . protection within myself. T am quite • loyal to the nation, and 1 am doing 1 more for It in a higher way than tnili- ' trtry training.” “Oil, don’t preach lo me,” said the .Magistrate. "All I can say to ;-u is ’ that you’d ho better without it. Th.i-.ik , heaven I don't think as you do." "Do you believe it, too?” he asked I the hoy. "A’cs, sir,” was the reply. "I suppose that is because your Ut'.ior 1 tells von it's right.”

.Exemption was granted. Another hoy, an International Rible student, applied for exemption no a similar ground. 11 is mother, who accompanied him, said, ill a quiet reive, that she and her husband had believed that militaty training was gainst their faith long before the Great War. “Do you believe it. too?” asked the .Magistrate of the hoy. “Yes,” was the murmured reply, "and <mo of the Ten Commandm.'.ils says. ‘Tlmu sluilt not kill.’ ”

His AVorship threw up his hands. “For heaven’s sake,” he said, ‘don't preach to me! Read a verse in oi e of the last chapters of Ft. Alatthew, and see if you can understand it. I knmv better people than you who can’t. AVoll. anyway, I'm sure the militarv people don’t want you: you're more bother than you’re worth!” Exemption was granted. "AVe’ve always believed that military training was against our leligors views.” said the mother of anoth-'r International Student who also asked

for exemption. "Von believe it, too. T suppose?" asked his Worship of the hoy. “Oil, ves. sir.” lie answered. "Very well. I suppose I'll have to grant it." The npplieat ion was .'.'.ranted. And yet another ease was called. ‘•This is the most unusual case I've struck,” said the Alagistrate as ho read a letter from the applicant who. ho •■- ever, did not appear, “lie says: T helmig to the Anglican Church, and It is contrary to my religious views. Is ill" ho\ pi' "lit . ’ lie asked. "No sir." -aid the ilol’k. As theie was lie nppearame the nee was struck out.