DEFENCE CHAPLAINS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 160, 23 November 1912, Page 5

DEFENCE CHAPLAINS.

[ A CLERICAL PROTEST. By Telegraph— I'ress Association. Palmerston North. Last Night. The Wanganui District Methodist Synod to-day discussed a matter of interest to the whole Dominion affecting the relations of chaplains with the Defence Department. The Rev. J .A. Luxford, chaplain, has been corresponding with the Defence authorities regarding the instructions issued to him, in common wit/h other chaplains, to hand in his commission, to have certain alterations made relating to the duties of the office. The Synod, passed the following resolution: —"Having heard the correspondence between the Rev. J. A. Luxford and the Defence authorities, this Synod advises its senior chaplain not to hand in his commission for correction without aligned reasons, as arbitrarily commanded by the 0.C.D., until the whole matter has been discussed by the forthcoming conference, for it views the order as an indignity offered, not only to Mr. Luxford, but' also to the Church which lie represents." It has been ascertained from the Defence authorities that there is no suggestion of friction, but merelv that a desire exists on the part of Mr. Luxford to have the matter ventilated and the position defined. ' Tn reference to the Palmerston telegram re military chaplaincy, the Rev. J. A. Luxford states that lie has been instructed that as chaplain of the Defence Force lie does not hold rank, although both his commission and his South African medal acknowledge the rank. Tie insists that the action of the Defence Department is ultra vires, because section 0, part 1, of the Defence Act. conserves rank to all officers of the late Volunteer Companies.