MILITARY SERVICE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3993, 5 September 1929, Page 3

MILITARY SERVICE.

TIIE CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR.

amendment to law PROPOSED.

The following motion was moved by the Hon. Sir James Allen (Otago) in the Legislative Council on Friday:—“That, in the opinion of this (Council, in view of the agitation for exemption from military training and service on account of conscientious objections, and as the law makes provision for objectors only on account of religious beliefs, the Government should , take into consideration the pfresent position of the law and determine whether nn amendment of the law T is necessary to include conscientious objectors; and further, than in dealing with the question of alternative service consideration should be given to training for first-aid, ambulance, and stretchejr-bearev work.”

Sir James Allen said that the law as it existed did not grant exemption for conscientious reasons. No regulations had been put, into force for alternative service —difficulties had been experienced in that respect. He reviewed the different Acts that had been passed relating to military service and recited the steps that had been taken to settle the question of conscientious objectors. He quoted the regulations for territorial training, which, he said, were for the purpose of making good citizens. He resented with all that was ift him the insinuation of a conscientious objector that because he was such he was a better man than the soldier. He (Sir James Allen) did not altogether object to exemption on the ground of religion,'but it would increase the number with whom the country had to deal and make it very difficult far the Government to make and control alternative service. He thought that the type of man w r ho refused on conscientious grounds to give even alternative service—ben who identified themselves wfith churches, and to whom we looked for our future teachers and pastors—was not the type of man which would be in the best interests of the country. The first-aid, ambulance, and stretcherbearer work which Sir James Allen suggested as alternative service gave to the conscientious or religious objector some way to make a sacrifice.

The motion was seconded by the Hon. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes. The Hon. W. Earnshaw (Wellington) expressed the opinion that no man, whatever his religion or conviction, had the light to place himself outside the jurisdiction of the State with regard to common defence. 'There should he no exemption whatever, he considered, except upon the one ground of military unfitness. He deplored that divines and religious leaders should preach a mollycoddling outlook and urged that men should turn the other cheek.

‘The Hon. Sir Thomas Mackenzie (Otago) said that every man able to bear arms should take a stand for his country when it was in danger, and parsons, priests, and religious teachers should be the leaders in that defence. An attitude of objection ! by the churches would enormously weaken their influence. He heartily endorsed the motion. The Leader of the Council (Hon. T. K. Sidey) stated that forms of alternative service were now being considered by the Government, which would welcome any suggestions on the subject; the suggestions made by 'Sir James Allen would ibe considered. Recently, he said, it. was stated that, provision would be made to enable divinity students to he exempted. He pointed out that that did not mean any distinction among divinity students. The motion was carried.