A SENSIBLE VIEW.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 67, 14 March 1912, Page 4

A SENSIBLE VIEW.

A well-known diristchnreh minister the Rev. W. S. Gray denounces as “a grave technical blunder” the campaign that lias been conducted against the obligation register. To register is not to fight; it is not oven to go into training. Registration may he regarded as a census matter rather than a matter of conscience. It is to enable the State to know how many of its .members of the proscribed ago are available for training. No conscience can be violated by compliance with the demand for tin's information, and the Rev. Mr. Gray is on unassailable ground when bo objects to the, attempt to manufacture a grievance oat of the obligation. At a later stage he would allow the fullest latitude to the man whoso conscience forbade him to take part in actual warfare;.but the compulsion imposed by the Art ol ]POO does not go this length. It com-

pels a man to train, 'nit not to fight. “Every young man,” says the Re'Mr Gray, “should submit himself tor training, whatever views lie holds regarding war.” It is also his opinion that it is every man’s duty to defend Ids country, but he would accommodate the conscience of those who thin differently hy making “it c ! uite clear that enlistment in the Territorials involves no obligation for service outside of New Zealand.” This is a very sensible view and ought to assist some of the foolish young mien who are non defying the law to see matters in a clearer light.