AGAINST MILITARISM

Hokitika Guardian, 12 June 1929, Page 3

AGAINST MILITARISM

PRESBYTERIAN STUDENT'S ATTITUDE. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, June 11. The cases of the students who are prospective candidates 'for the Ministry and who refuse military service on religious grounds, were further discussed by the Auckland Presbytery to-night. Une of the students concerned, Mr A. M. Richards, was present, and lie stated his case, and the Presbytery was told that lie and two others, Messrs A. Miller and J. McDougrtll, were to come • before the Court again to-mor-row for refusing military duty. Mr John McDougall appeared before the Presbytery at its last meeting, and lie was enjoined by it to offer the alternative of non-military service.

In reply to this injunction, Mr McDougall wrote a long letter to the I’resbytcry, intimating his intention to refuse service in any shape or form, hi the course of his letter, he said:— “ I will not offer alternative 11011-mili-tary service. I deny that the offeimg of alternative 11011-military service proves good faith. It merely shows that the offerer is willing to cringe before public opinion in order to achieve his exemption ; and I Will not do that. Anyway, I would not do any such compulsory non-military service iff it were prescribed. I have religious objections .to such -Although some ‘cannot see* how anyone could have such objections, accoiding to my religious beliefs the State has no right to specify the way in which its citizens shall serve it any mote than the Presbytery lists a right to direct how its members shall serve it. Consequently, I call only refuse to follow the unwarranted directions df the Presbytery in the matter of military training?” After discussion in private, the following resolution was passed: “ That while the not encourage refusal to accept military training as long as that continues to he the law df the land, this Presbytery reasserts the claim made by the General Asesmbly of our Church that individual members who have a bona fide conscientious objection to military training and service should be granted the exemption provided under the Act. The Presbytery urges the applicants to express their willingness to accept non-military service, if prescribed by the Governor-in-Council.”