A CONSCIENTOUS OBJECTOR

Hokitika Guardian, 13 April 1929, Page 6

A CONSCIENTOUS OBJECTOR

PRESBYTERY'S SUPPORT

WELLINGTON. April 11

The Wellington Presbytery (limit with the f|iiestion of military training arising out of the application of Gordon AF Kenzo. aged twenty, for support in seeking exemption Irom training, as his conscience rendered it impossible !<>r him to hear arms ajul take part in the slaughter ol his tcl-low-inen. 11(* expressed himself willing to devote himself to some form of work which had nothing to do with militarism.

It was pointed out that the applicant was prepared to lose his position in the Petonc Railway Workshops, where he lmd gone through an engineering course, because ol his attitude. He was in his last year as a military trainee, hut. had come to the point wlkmi lie conscientiously telt that he could not go on with it. The Rev. Dr Gibb said that the. General Assembly had declared against compulsory military training. Ihe Assembly had also reaffirmed its conviction of the inviolability of the rights of individual conscience. He held that the Presbytery should .support the applicant. The Rev. J. E. Lopdell. the applicant’s 'minister, who had interviewed AFKenzie on many occasions concerning his attitude to military training, said that he did not share the applicant’s views on "the subject, but he was sure he was a genuine conscientious objector, and therefore entitled to the support of the Presbytery. “He is a most genuine case.” said Mr Lopdel!, “and the Presbvtery should see to 'it that he is not penalised or victimised.” Mr Lopdell gave it as his opinion that, whereas the Assembly had declared against military training, the rank and file of the Presbyterian Church was sharply divided on the question, and lie doubted whether the majority of them would ulihold the Assembly’s decision in favour of abolishing military training, but there was no doubt as to the right of the individual to liberty of conscience.

The Presbytery unanimously resolved to support the application, and referred it to the Public Questions Coinniitte'o. with power to act.