RELIGIOUS OBJECTION TO MILITARY TRAINING

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 205, 18 November 1927, Page 1

RELIGIOUS OBJECTION TO MILITARY TRAINING

METHODISTS BELIEVE IN EXEMPTIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL CASES •EXEMPTIONS from military training should be granted on individual religious convictions apart from any particular church •r tenet," stated a resolution ef the Auckland District Methodist Synod last evsning. Referring to the Richards’ case recently before the Magistrate’s Court, the Rev. T. R. B. Wooloxall stated that the defendant’s conscientious objections were over-ruled by the magistrates In gauging the bona tides of aptitled to exemption who did not belong to one particular sect definitely opposed to military service. Individual beliefs did not entitle a person to exemption. Synod, he thought, should define its position, and he moved that though appreciating the difficulties of magistrates in gauging the bonafldes of applicants the present principle was not sound, and It was desirable that exemption on religious grounds should be withdrawn. The Rev. H. Ryan considered that conscientious objection on religious grounds should be open to ail Christian denominations. The Rev. W. A. Sinclair suggested a form of non-military service. An amendment much stronger in terms was moved by the Rev. S. Griffiiths: “That this Synod is strongly convinced that the laws relating to military training should make provision for exemption from such training end military service on the grounds of individual religious conviction, apart from the tenets of any church or denomination to which the applicants belong.” It was recommended that conference collaborate with other churches to have the law amended. The amendment was carried finally by 23 votes to 14.