The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET, AUCKLAND WEDNESDAY', JULY 3, 1929 CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 705, 3 July 1929, Page 8

The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET, AUCKLAND WEDNESDAY', JULY 3, 1929 CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

THE Auckland Presbytery rendered a good service to the community yesterday in deciding to discuss in open session the provocative problem of conscientious objection to military training. This wise decision made an end at once to mischievous talk and thought about moral shirkers among responsible churchmen whose patriotism irrefutably is as honest and firm as their disciplined and stern religion. The Presbytery, however, will render even a better service to the whole country if, through the Presbyterian Assembly, it adopts the suggestion within its own ranks to seek the highest legal interpretation of the Defence Act in respect of possible discrimination between the treatment of Presbyterian conscientious objectors and those of other religious denominations. There is great need of a decisive ruling on the bristling question. It is perfectly clear that neither church leaders nor laymen can solve the problem of conscientious objection to compulsory military training as a defensive preparation or, rather, competent readiness for war. Conscience is an intangible thing, but real enough at times to provoke and incur some consequences almost as terrible as the evil effects of war. History has provided a grim record of strife and martyrdom for conscience’ sake. It may be noted that Bishop Cherrington of Waikato, who does not hesitate to plunge courageously into the maelstroms of controversy. looks upon the three young Presbyterians, who have suffered severely for their inflexible conscientious objection to military training and also any form of alternative service, as martyrs for a great cause, as resolute youths, indeed, who ought to be happy in their suffering. And the bishop, thinking the thoughts that, sooner or later, must engage every active and responsible mind, probed to the heart of the matter with this vital question: “As churchmen are our faces definitely and finally set against war?” He revealed his own mind by adding, as an inconclusive answer, that “no one can deny that war and everything to do with it, the spirit of it, and the facts and suffering of it, are completely contrary to the mind and teaching of our Lord.” Sherman said the same thing in fewer words long ago, but the plain truth that war is not heaven does not quench the fire of war as hell. Neither denial nor the opposite will enable any church or any country to eliminate the possibility of a conflict completely contrary to the mind and teaching of our Lord. Human nature must first yield to a beautiful transformation before military training may be laid away with Nineveh and Tyre. And perhaps even the dogmatic leader of the Waikato Diocese in a militant church would admit that there are occasions when to follow the Scriptural advice “Take unto you the whole armour of God” means hearing arms for the purpose of war against evil military aggression. Meanwhile, the real question for serious consideration by the Church and State concerns the vitality of conscientious objection on religious ground to military training, “the spirit of it, and the facts and suffering of it.” Sufficient prominence already has been given to the obduracy of the three young Presbyterians and the punishment inflicted upon them with a justice that was not radiant with the quality of mercy. It cannot well be doubted that their punishment was severe, hut against its severity must he placed the equally plain truth that, before the hard penalty was imposed, they were given, in a fine spirit of forbearance and patience, every opportunity to meet the requirements of the law and mollify their aroused conscience with the performance of non-military service. Their stubborn refusal to do anything at all save feast cons ience on martyrdom not only deprived them of much sympathy, but led them into a position which involved a regrettable disservice to their church and its patriotic people—the word “patriotic” being used in its best sense which is far removed from Jingoism. It will require the highest judicial minds in the country to determine whether the minor guardians of the law as regards military training have discriminated against conscientious objectors in the Presbyterian fold. So nothing more need he said about it. Whatever else may he right or wrong with the Defence Act, it is indisputable that the military law should he free of discrimination or even any suspicion of unfairness. It would he better for all concerned if the law were made the same for every denomination, or abolished altogether. There is no sense and no religious gain in dividing public opinion on the question whether conscientious objectors are martyrs or mugwumps.

THE WINTER SHOW

ASSESSING the value of recent output at current rates, the value of Auckland’s dairy produce, of which representative exhibits are now on display at the Winter Show, is roughly £10,000,000 yearly.' The annual value of work done in the factories of the province is about £11,000,000. The two phases of industry, primary and secondary, are inter-related in the figures available. But the two valuations are at least sufficient to show the enormous importance to the Auckland Province and to Auckland City of the two great industries which meet at the show. The greatest lesson of the show is the dependence. of town upon country, and country upon town, and the lesson is taught in its most convincing form by the association of industrial and pastoral exhibits. Auckland Province is this country’s greatest centre of dairying activity, and it embraces the greatest variety of industrial plants. At many of these plants the products of the land are converted into attractive and marketable form. The farmer thus finds, near at hand, a market which frees him from the heavy freight, insurance and storage charges necessitated when he sends produce abroad. Those suspicious of any movement to develop New Zealand industries should be able to see in this an answer to their fears. If more primary produce can be made into shoes, fabrics and foodstuffs in this country the farmer will be largely relieved of his complete and often embarrassing dependance on fluctuating overseas markets. The fact is, too, that many an article sent overseas in its original form is returned to the markets of this country after it has been subjected to processes which could he duplicated in factories employing New Zealand instead of foreign labour. The amount paid in wages to factory operatives in the Auckland Province in one year is over £6.000.000. The displays at the Winter Show demonstrate that this total, circulating in the community with corresponding benefits to all. could he increased without any hardship to the buyer. New Zealand goods bear a quality that asks no favours, save the reasonable right to be judged impartially.