Objectors Supported by Church Authority

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 724, 25 July 1929, Page 9

Objectors Supported by Church Authority

REPLY TO CRITICISM REPEAL OF LAW URGED (Special to THE SUX) WELLINGTON, Today. A reply to the Hon. G. M. Thomson. M.L.C., who asked through the Press that the Presbyterian authorities refuse entrance to the ministry to the two divinity students at Auckland who have refused military training on conscientious grounds, has been made by Mr. James H. MacKenzie. the Presbyterian clerk. Mr. MacKenzie is the highest official of the Church. “Such a change in the law of our Church as Mr. Thomson proposes,” says Mr. MacKenzie, “would cut us off from the law and practice of every Presbyterian Church in Christendom. Moreover, we have ministers, in good standing, who hold the views of these students, and it would become necessary to bring all such to the bar of their respective Presbyteries, so that they might be tried and deposed for their Quaker opinions. A man should stand fast to his religious convictions, whatever the cost may be. “When Richards first appeared in court he was told by Mr. F. K. Hunt that he was fit only to clean out latrines, language which, if used on the street, would naturally have provoked a breach of the peace. Richards | stated in court that he would perform non-military service if proscribed by the Governor-in-Council, as laid down in the Defence Act of 1912. He was told from the Bench: ‘You will take non-military service from me.’ By what authority does Mr. Hunt usurp the functions of the Governor-in-Council and talk of hospital service and -work on the wharves when no legal list of non-militarv services exists? “Mr. Thomson is concerned about obedience to the laws of the land. Presbyterians obey but they recognise limitations. Did Peter and John (Acts iv.) obey, did the Scottish Covenanters obey, did John Bunyan obey? No. If the civil power attempted to march Mr. Thomson to church to the tune of Apostolic Succession, would he obey? I -will answer for him; he would not. “The wars of Great Britain are ended. We should invite our young men to think peace, not to think war. and this discussion will never be closed for Church or State until the compulsory Act is abolished, and It would hasten the end if members of Parliament were snowed under by endless requests that they would support and vote for the Repeal Bill nowbefore Parliament.”