CONSCIENCE CASES

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21584, 21 November 1941, Page 6

CONSCIENCE CASES

APPARENT SINCERITY APPEAL BOARD DECISIONS CHURCH VIEW OF TREATMENT (Special lo Times) TE AROHA, Thursday The position of members of the Methodist Church who are conscientious objectors came under review at the South Auckland District Synod at Te Aroha. The discussion was taken in committee and the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:—• “Synod draws the attention of the Government to the many cases in which the conscientious scruples of some Methodist young men who have appealed on religious grounds against military service, and who to all appearances have been perfectly sincere, have been disregarded and their appeals summarily dismissed by appeal boards whose principles of operation would appear to vary considerably from centre centre. “Synod feels called upon to insist that the work of the appeal board ends with the determination of the sincerity or otherwise of the appellants, and that the decisions should not depend in any degree upon the ability of the appeal boards to find alternative service for those whose appeals are allowed. “That in view of the strong feelings aroused by the war, and the increasing spirit of vindictiveness that is abroad in the community, Church members be urged to do all in their power to manifest an attitude of tolerance and understanding toward all men, whatever their convictions may be.”