WORLD PEACE PROGRESS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 827, 22 November 1929, Page 16

WORLD PEACE PROGRESS

METHODISTS AND COMPULSORY TRAINING REPEAL RECOMMENDED Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday. The Methodist Synod of Canterbury today carried a series of resolutions dealing with international peace and the New Zealand Defence. Act. The resolutions expressed general approval of the growing sentiment for peace among the nations of the world, and recommended the Government to repeal that portion of the Defence Act providing for compulsory military training, and asking ministers of the Methodist Church to allow petition forms of the no-more-war petition to be made available for signature in their churches. There were one or two dissentients, including the Hon. L. M. Isitt, to the resolution asking for the repeal of the compulsory clauses of the Defence Act.

OPINION IN SOUTHLAND

RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUAL Press Association INVERCARGILL, Thursday. The question of the attitude of the Methodist Church in Otago and Southland to compulsory military training was discussed at the Methodist Synod today. The following resolution was adopted:—“We recommend that the New Zealand Methodist Church work for the repeal, and urge the Government to repeal, part six of the Defence I Act, 1919, which provides a universal obligation to be trained in times of peace; that our New Zealand Church work for and urge the Government to recognise the right of the individual conscience to determine a person’s attitude to military service. In this regard it is understood that the applicant will submit reasonable proof of his bona tides.”