MILITARY EXEMPTIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 1918, Page 5

MILITARY EXEMPTIONS.

FOR SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS. By T«Jegraph.—Press Association. Hamilton, Lftst Night. In connection with the recent exemption of a large number of Seventh Day Adventists «y the Second Military Board at Hamilton Mr. J. A. Young, the member for Waikato, referred the matter to the Minister for Defence, and suggested that some statement should be made on the matter. He has received file following reply from the Minister:—"The position is that reservists who are now and have been since August 4, 1914, either adherents or members of the church are religious objectors within the .definition of section 18, sub-section 1 of the Military Service Act, and are therefore entitled to have their appeals allowed on signing an undertaking for non-combat-ant service in the employ of the Executive Government as prescribed by the regulations. This non-combatant service consists of work on the central development farm under the Agriculture Department at soldiers' rate of pay. The Seventh Day Adventists, therefore, whose appeals have been adjourned sine die will bo sent to work on the State farm at soldiers' pay." Comment has been made at the large number of Adventists dealt with at Hamilton, but it appears that all the members of this body in the North Island have their claims heard here hence the apparent disproportion.