THE CLERGY AND MILITARY SERVICE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 257, 9 March 1917, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE CLERGY AND MILITARY SERVICE.

We are hearing just now a good deal concerning the question as to whether or not the clergy should be called for military service, and it is evident that there is a considerable difference of opinion on the subject. One influenti.il denomination emphatically protest* against any of its clergy being conscripted in any capacity, while another promi. uent denomination, speaking through its representative authority, declares that it will not appeal other than in exceptional cases. There is, too, still some misapprehension m the public mind regarding the legal position of the clergy m regard to military service. As concisely explained by " The Press, '■ in the English Act they are exempted by the statute itself, but in New Zealand they can only be exempted if tho tribunal on appeal s>o decides. Tliero i.s absolutely no distinction between any of the denominations before the law. It is equally untrue to state that any distinction has been made by the Minister for Defence. When the inadvisablencss of applying the Act strictly to the clergy without exemption was put to him, lie agreed that in every case in which tli« head ot a religious body certified that a particular clergyman or minister was indispensable, and that it was contrary to the public interest that he should lie called up, the Government would support the application on appeal by issuing a certificate to the same effect. It was explained that the tribunals were not bound to aerept that certificate, but they would naturally attach great weight to it. The samo concession was made equally available to every denomination—to the Salvation Army, for example, equally with tho Roman Catholic Church. Tho onus and the responsibility ol saving that the applicant is indispensable rests with the religious authority; the Government merely accepts the statement and gives it its support. We are inclined to agree with the "Press" that it would have been l>etter if a provision of this kind had beon embodied in tho Statute, but as this was not done, it would be well if the tribunal* were to accept and act npon the understanding which was evidently come to between the Government and the heads of the various denominations. It is still open to those who regard the present war as an exceptional occasion, calling for unwonted sacrifices, to lefuse to stand in tho way of the young and able-boelied ministers and clergy who feel that duty calls them to offer their services for tho front either ,u non-combatants or even as combatants. But it is manifest that the arrangement will not work equitably if any one denomination is permitted to take up the position that every one of the clergy is indispensable. We lee! sure the -Minister had not in his mind the possibility of such a happening when he gave his undertaking, and consequently, unless the concession is used in such a way as to ensure reasonable equality of sacrifice as between the different denominations, it may become necessary for Parliament to provide a more definite and equitable solution of tho pro.'j-f-m.