MILITARY TRAINING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3272, 18 July 1911, Page 3

MILITARY TRAINING.

A PROTEST FROM QUAKERS.

“ EMIGRATE RATHER THAN SUBMIT.”

DEPUTATION TO HON. GEORGE EOWLDS..

iBrJSCIAI. TO TIMEB4 AUCKLAND, July 17

The Quakers of the Dominion evidently have no desire to be faced by the predicament that presented itself to tlie jb fiend in T lie American Civil War, who was confronted by a fierce-looking Confederate at-'the end of a musket. It is on record that he met the quandary and satisfied his conscience with the apology: “ Friend. l am sorry, but thee must die,” and down went the Southerner. The consciences of the members of the Auckland Society of Friends are not so elastic, for in a deputation to 'the Hon, George Fowlds, the Minister for Education, tins morning, the representatives of that religious body expressed their firm intention to liava nothing to do with the military paraphernalia of the Dominion whatever, stating that much as- they loved the country they would emigrate rather than submit to donning the King’s uniform.

The deputation consisted of Messrs Thomas Wright, of Mangere, Fletcher Jackson, of Onehunga, and It. L. Pudney, of Ponsonby. Mr. Wright introduced the subject by saying he understood that General Godley had desired to meet representatives of the Society of Friends in Wellington on the subject of provision under the New Defence Act for conscientious objectors, but had been unable to arrange a satisfactory interview and that, therefore, the Friends in Auckland had taken an opportunity to see the Minister while lie was in this city. He explained that the members of the society did not wish to be .thought unpatriotic, but tlieir principles forbid them from taking part in any military work, or in becoming part and parcel of anything connected with war. They were willing to work at anything of a civil nature, in the. way of an equivalent, and they understood that the Government desired suggestions. Mr. Fowlds: Yes, suggestions that will not interfere in any way with the system, which the country has adopted. Mr Wright contended that the country was by- no means unanimous. People were standing shoulder to shoulder on the point, and the Quakers felt that there were very many who took the same stand as they did on the matter. As for themselves, by birth (so to speak) and training, they were prohibited from taking part" in military work of any kind. “We do not want to go to prison. We have come here to be happy, and we love the country, but if any coercion is used against us we must emigrate.” He went on to suggest that they might be allowed to join ’lie St. John Ambulance Association. Quakers, he said, had rendered yeoman service before in ambulance work, instancing the Franco-Pru6sian War, but they did not want to lay themselves; out for wholesale slaughter or to have any part in the -military paraphernalia of the country. Mr. Fowlds congratulated the members of the deputation on having complied with the laiv by registering, remarking that they were right in doing that. “ I consider we could render a pretty good equivalent in civil service,” said Mr. Pudney. “Well, gentlemen, I will sa” that you have my entire sympathy, so far as your consciences are concerned,” -replied the Minister, and had. it not' been for the insertion of the qualifying clause I would not have been a party to the act.” Mr. Fowlds went on to say that -lie first saw this way out of the difficulty through studying the Swiss system, under which exemptions from military training and service is allowed by the substitution of civil or non-combatant duties. “You can easily see,” he said, “that unless. ,there is an equivalent of some sort of service there might be a very large addition to the Society of Friends of people who just wanted to escape military duty. The essential feature is, therefore, that there must be an equivalent for military service in some form or other. If we can secure some form of equivalent in the sacrifice of time and training outside, then, so far as I am concerned I sliall be only too glad -to meet your position.” He pointed out that lie had seen Mr. Rigg, in Wellington, 0 n the subject, and that it was at his request that General Godley and Mr. Rigg had conferred on the matter. He went on to assure members of the deputation that if lie could manage to have their attitude met without breaking down the system, he would do so. The system introduced, he pointed out, -was passed with the unanimous consent of the people.”