CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 March 1941, Page 9

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH’S ATTITUDE. PROPOSED STATEMENT. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) DUNEDIN. March 12. In accordance with a resolution adopted yesterday requesting the reference committee to find a place on the agenda paper for a discussion on the question of conscientious objectors, the committee at today's session of the annual assembly of the Congregational Union of New Zealand submitted a recommendation that the assembly should make the following statement; “fl) It affirms the right of the sincere objector to combatant or other military service to a sympathetic hearing by the appeal board, on which should sit at least one person competent to understand religious or other scruples of objectors. “(2.) It urges that Ministers and other leaders of its churches should do all in their power to assist sincere conscientious objectors among the people when called on. both by advice and by testimony, at the hearing before the board. “(3) In the event of an appeal being dismissed after duo hearing, further dealings with such objector shall be in the hands of the civil and not the military authorities. “(4) The assembly supports the right of the Government to demand alternative service at a rate of pay not higher than that of the men in the forces from men whose religious scruples are regarded as valid by the appeal board." As time would not permit today consideration of the recommendation was deferred, and the statement will cornel before the assembly tomorrow for dis- I cussion. I