NZ Newspaper Reports

The index below (in date order) provides a precis of New Zealand newspaper reports regarding 2x2s over the period 1907-1945

The originals are available for download on the Files page.

19070223 Evening Post p12 re UK Tramp Preachers Court case.

Wilson of Ipswich, UK fined £1 for damage to mission hall, but had sympathy as Tramp Preachers ‘ravaging East Anglia, seducing converts.’ Fellowship 9 years in existence and 350 members. Wilson’s 2 sons & 3 daughters had joined; eldest girl called for mission work.

19070518 NZ Truth p8 A New Religion.

New religious sect, officially with no name, but known as Go Preachers, Cooneyites, Irvineites, No Sect Sect and Dippers. 4 reps in Melbourne [incl. Willie & Aggie Hughes] & 2 in Sydney. Started in 1898 when Irvine left Faith Mission to preach alone. Up to 1907 Irvine had sent 114 preachers to USA/Canada, ~20 to Sth Africa and 6 to NZ/Australia.

19070605 The Colonist p4 Baptism in England.

10 baptised by Go Preachers near Bedford (UK) with hostile crowd of 1500

19080210 The Star p3 Hustled by crowd.

No name sect ‘Not Mormons’

19100919 The Press p6 Cooneyite convention at Crocknacrieve.

Annual convention of >1000 at Crocknacrieve, Fermanagh. Principal preacher William Irvine, 1 of the founders. No one can be saved who drinks or smokes.

19100928 Poverty Bay Herald p8 Cooneyite convention at Crocknacrieve.

Annual convention of >1000 at Crocknacrieve, Fermanagh. Principal preacher William Irvine, 1 of the founders. No one can be saved who drinks or smokes.

19140211 Horowhenua Daily Chronicle p3 Go Preacher Cooneyite libel case.

Libel case by Ernest List and Edward Cooney. Wilson had distributed posters alleging slave trade & 50 taken to USA for immoral purposes; subsequently published by ‘People’ newspaper. Damages of £100 awarded. Others had apologised and paid damages.

19170104 Ashburton Guardian p2 Robert Patton and John Holtham.

Robert Patton applied for exemption from military service because of religious beliefs as a member of the ‘Testimony of Jesus.’ John Holtham (preacher) said denomination had been formed 7 years ago. The body was recognised in England by the War Office.

19170104 The Press p8 Robert Patton and Ernest Holtham - Testimony of Jesus.

Robert Patton applied for exemption from military service because of religious beliefs as a member of the ‘Testimony of Jesus.’ No governing body – leave it all to Christ. John Holtham (preacher) said he had known of the existence of the religion for 7 years. The body was recognised in England by the War Office and preachers exempt from military service.

19170110 Marlborough Express p3 Robert Patton and Ernest Holtham.

Robert Patton applied for exemption from military service because of religious beliefs as a member of the ‘Testimony of Jesus.’ No governing body except Jesus Christ. John Holtham (preacher) said he had known of the existence of the religion for 7 years. The body was recognised in England by the War Office and preachers exempt from military service.

19170120 NZ Truth p7 Patton and Holtham - Testimony of Jesus.

19170131 Hawera Normanby Star Fred Plews.

Fred Plews age 25, member of Testimony of Jesus for 5 years. Against doctrines & tenets to take arms. [Note: F Plews had been preaching since 1914]

19170201 Evening Post p6 Fred Plews and Wilson McClung - Testimony of Jesus.

Fred Plews appeal [reported as Clews]. Wilson McClung, head evangelist of ‘Testimony of Jesus’ said it was a voluntary organisation existing in every English speaking country; no doctrines or tenets except interpretation of the gospel; 750 adherents in NZ; 14 evangelists*; opposed to war, and evangelism more important than Red Cross or Army Service. [Actually 14 males, 7 females and 1 married couple listed in 1917]

19170201 The Dominion p6 Fred Plews and Wilson McClung.

McClung [reported as McClime]: Testimony of Jesus established in NZ 12 years; membership 730; no official headquarters.

19170202 Hawera Normanby Star p7 Lawrence Watchorn - Testimony of Jesus.

Lawrence Watchorn belonged to Testimony of Jesus for 13 months.

19170208 Ashburton Guardian p7 Grays and Aickens - Testimony of Jesus.

John, Samuel, William and David Gray & Isaac and John Aicken belonged to denomination known as Testimony of Jesus.

19170208 The Press p9 Military Service Board appeals -Testimony of Jesus - Grays and Aickens.

John, Samuel, William and David Gray & Isaac and John Aicken belonged to denomination known as Testimony of Jesus.

19170222 Hawera Normanby Star p7 Harry Rankin - Testimony of Jesus.

Harry Rankin, member of Testimony of Jesus. Against doctrines and tenets of the body to fight.

19170320 Hawera Normanby Star p7 Horace Wall - Testimony of Jesus.

Horace Wall, member of Testimony of Jesus.

19170522 Auckland Star p2 Joe Hogan - Testimony of Jesus.

Joe Hogan belonged to sect known as Disciples of Testimony of Jesus. No organisation; ~1000 members in NZ

19170526 Auckland Star p6 James Murray - Testimony of Jesus.

James Murray belonged to sect styling itself “The Testimony of Jesus”

19170528 Auckland Star p3 Herbert Bland.

Herbert Bland member of society known as Testimony of Jesus.

19170531 The Press p2 Herbert Bland and Robert Bland - Testimony of Jesus.

Herbert Bland member of society known as Testimony of Jesus.

19170620 Maoriland Worker p4 Will Pickering - Testimony of Jesus - from the year one.

Evangelist William Pickering, member of Testimony of Jesus, which had been in existence since the year 1.

19170703 The Fielding Star - John Shorter evangelist with Testimony of Jesus for 5 years

19170717 Hawera Normanby Star p6 Charles Steele Testimony of Jesus.

Charles Steele belonged to sect known as “The Testimony of Jesus.”

19170717 Hawera Normanby Star p6 Stanley Watchorn.

Stanley Watchorn believed in Jesus and the Word but did not belong to any particular denomination. [Note: S Watchorn began preaching in 1920. He later went to Canada and became overseer of Alberta].

19170720 Auckland Star p3 John Patton - Testimony of Jesus.

John Patton belonged to the Testimony of Jesus

19170725 Evening Post p8 Testimony of Jesus - 16 COs.

19170726 Evening Post p6 Military Service appeal Testimony of Jesus.

Member of Testimony of Jesus for 11 years.

19170726 Evening Post p7 Testimony of Jesus - 16 appeals.

Appeal by 16 members of Testimony of Jesus (J Pickering, P Dixon, J Hogan, J Holtham, J Gray, R Arthur, I Aicken, P Clayton, F Johnston, J Craig, H Smith, R Gray, P Dickson, R Stockdill, H Rankin & A Page). Represented by Sir John Findlay KC. The Society had large membership in other countries, & recognised in England that it was a religious body within the meaning of the Act. English case quoted where a minister of the sect had been exempted. 700-800 members in NZ & 24 ministers/evangelists. In Australia, 74 evangelists and 2500 members; England 70 evangelists and 5000 members. Sect in existence for >20 years. New preachers sell their goods and distribute to the poor. Wilson McClung – overseer for NZ – connected with the body for ~20 years. Question of bearing arms discussed at conventions. John Holtham – evangelist for Testimony of Jesus for 5 years

19170726 The Dominion p9 Testimony of Jesus - appeals for 18.

Appeal by 16 members of Testimony of Jesus (J Pickering, P Dixon, J Hogan, J Holtham, J Gray, R Arthur, I Aicken, P Clayton, F Johnston, J Craig, H Smith, R Gray, P Dickson, R Stockdill, H Rankin & A Page). Represented by Sir John Findlay KC [Barrister and politician.] The Society had large membership in other countries, & recognised in England that it was a religious body within the meaning of the Act. English case quoted where a minister of the sect had been exempted. 700-800 members in NZ & 24 ministers/evangelists. In Australia, 74 evangelists and 2500 members; England 70 evangelists and 5000 members. Sect in existence for >20 years. New preachers sell their goods and distribute to the poor. Wilson McClung – overseer for NZ – connected with the body for ~20 years. Question of bearing arms discussed at conventions. John Holtham – evangelist for Testimony of Jesus for 5 years

19170727 The Press p10 no rifle - Testimony of Jesus.

Member of Testimony of Jesus for 11 years.

19170803 Evening Post p7 Testimony of Jesus not exempt.

Decision on appeal by 16 members of Testimony of Jesus that it was not a religious body with tenets & doctrines against bearing arms.

19170804 Ashburton Guardian p4 Appeals dismissed - Testimony of Jesus.

Decision on appeal by 16 members of Testimony of Jesus that it was not a religious body with tenets & doctrines against bearing arms.

19170804 Auckland Star p4 Testimony of Jesus appeals dismissed.

Decision on appeal by 16 members of Testimony of Jesus that it was not a religious body with tenets & doctrines against bearing arms.

19170804 The Dominion p6 Testimony of Jesus appeals dismissed.

Decision on appeal by 16 members of Testimony of Jesus that it was not a religious body with tenets & doctrines against bearing arms.

19170822 Evening Post p6 Wilf Davey - Testimony of Jesus.

Wilfred Davy member of Testimony of Jesus - against bearing arms but worked for Defense Dept.

19170828 The Press p4 Wilf Davey - Testimony of Jesus.

Wilfred Davy member of Testimony of Jesus - against bearing arms but worked for Defense Dept.

19170907 Auckland Star p3 Testimony of Jesus - 25 members.

Testimony of Jesus only has 25 members in NZ. [Obviously incorrect, perhaps referring to 23 workers in 1917]

19170911 Evening Post p2 Tom Kells imprisonment.

Tom Kells court martial – sentenced to 11 months imprisonment with hard labour.

19170918 Ashburton Guardian p3 Soldier Statistics - Testimony of Jesus.

22 members of Testimony of Jesus, out of total 26,402 called up by ballot.

19170918 Evening Post p7 Soldier statistics - Testimony of Jesus.

22 members of Testimony of Jesus, out of total 26,402 called up by ballot.

19171018 The Press p6 Testimony of Jesus appeal dismissed.

Appeal dismissed for Timaru member of Testimony of Jesus

19171026 Evening Post p7 Testimony of Jesus exemption argued in Parliament.

Parliamentary debate on Expeditionary Forces Amendment Bill noted that a number of members of the Testimony of Jesus had been sent to hard labour for refusing to put on uniform. … Strong argument was made in favour of including in the list of exempted religions “the Testimony of Jesus.” …The schedule of exempted religions was deleted, leaving the matter of whether a man belonged to a “holy order” or not would be left to the Appeal Board. The bill was passed its second reading at 4.15am. [Note: The 2 houses of Parliament could not agree so the Expeditionary Forces Amendment Bill was subsequently dropped.]

19171027 Poverty Bay Herald p7 Testimony of Jesus ministers in gaol.

Dr Newman MP queried whether orders would be given for the release of 2-3 clergymen belonging to the Testimony of Jesus who are now in prison for refusing to perform military service?

19171027 The Press p8 Testimony of Jesus - Clergy in prison.

Sir James Allen said he did not know what would be the position of the clergymen of the testimony of Jesus who were now in prison as conscientious objectors.

19171031 Otago Daily Times p2 Wix Testimony of Jesus.

John Wix who belonged to the Testimony of Jesus was not prepared to join the Ambulance or Army Service Corps.

19171102 NZ Freelance p21 Church of Testimony of Jesus officially recognised in England.

Re Parliamentary debate: …Sir John Findlay announced that the English Courts have decided that the church of the Testimony of Jesus is a religious body to be officially recognised.

19180226 Dominion p4 Deported men David Gray Testimony of Jesus.

Statement re 14 conscientious objectors who in July 1917 were forcibly shipped to England, then France, without even giving notice to next of kin. Noted that the law only allows Christadelphians, Seventh Day Adventists and Quakers to be exempted from military service as religious objectors. Other objectors have to apply individually to the Appeal Board and may be allowed to serve in ambulance. Those who refuse are tried summarily for the 1st offence and then court martialled for subsequent refusals. One of the 14 was David Robert Gray: “Was called up under S35, there being several brothers who had not served. Appealed on the grounds of religious objection. The military service board found that the religious body to which he belonged (the Testimony of Jesus) was not a body which came within the statute, and dismissed his appeal and sent him to camp. He is one of the persons who has missed satisfying the board that he comes within the status of religious objector and can only be classified as a conscientious objector and nothing remains but for him to obey the law.”

19180503 Evening Post p7 Fred Plews.

Fred Plews evangelist … “was a minister of the body known as the Testimony of Jesus Christ. “…body was recognised as a religious organisation in Great Britain and Canada and he asked that the reservist be treated in a similar manner to other ministers of religion.” … no written creed…

19180504 Levin Chronicle Fred Plews - Testimony of Jesus.

19180507 The Colonist p2 Fred Plews - Testimony of Jesus.

19180515 Auckland Star p4 James Vallance and Bert Morgan - Testimony of Jesus.

James Vallance … said he was a minister of the gospel, but was not ordained or attached to any particular church.

Bertie Morgan … evangelist … said their denomination had no particular name. A letter was read from a Wellington solicitor, retained by the sect known as the Testimony of Jesus…

19180530 Auckland Star p6 James Vallance - Testimony of Jesus.

James Vallance … minister of the Gospel … said he belonged to the Testimony of Jesus… He refused non-combatant work on religious scruples…

19180603 The Colonist p4 Jas Vallance - Testimony of Jesus.

Jas Vallance … member of the sect known as Testimony of Jesus…

19190115 Poverty Bay Herald p5 Testimony of Jesus.

Members of denominations … Testimony of Jesus … were among those who could not bring themselves within the terms of the New Zealand exemption clause.

19190119 Auckland Star p5 Testimony of Jesus COs.

Members of denominations … Testimony of Jesus … were among those who could not bring themselves within the terms of the New Zealand exemption clause.

19190207 Pukekohe and Waiuku Times p2 re George and William Adamson Pukekohe East cadet exemption.

W Adamson applied for the exemption of his 2 sons George & William from military service as senior cadets. “…belonged to no specified religious organisation. He was a follower of Christ. Their church had no name and the services were held in their own house.” “The sect had 2 churches in the district or rather, they met at his and another person’s houses, and their membership totalled 15 or 16.” John Lowe deposed that he was an elder of the Church which … was not an organised religious body and had no name. [Note: Adamsons owned the property where the Pukekohe convention has been held for many years.]

19190222 Minister of Defence re Adamson Testimony of Jesus.pdf

19190325 NZ Defence Force re Testimony of Jesus and Adamson.pdf

19190910 Ashburton Guardian p3 Testimony of Jesus … released from prison.

21 conscientious objectors to military service were released from Waikeria prison farm recently. … The men released include … members of the Testimony of Jesus …

19190918 The Press p9 Testimony of Jesus - released from prison.

21 conscientious objectors to military service were released from Waikeria prison farm recently. … The men released include … members of the Testimony of Jesus …

19200504 NZ Defence Force re Adamsons.

The Adamsons belong to a local sect of some 6 families known as Fraserites

19200520 NZ Herald re CO No name sect.

Lad of 15 applied for exemption from drill … joined a religious sect which did not approve of military service … sect had no definite name.

19200522 Otago Daily Times p15 Nameless sect Walter Scott and Wilson McClung.

… peculiarly vague sect … no name, no special creed or principles and no acknowledged head. … Walter Scott 18 … said he had known this body since last Labour Day and had become a member of it just before Christmas. He was baptised at a convention at Otokia just after Christmas. He attended their regular Wednesday and Sunday meetings at Mr Balone’s house …

John Wilson McClung, an evangelist of this body for some 20 years, said they took no sectarian name and were just followers of Christ. Witness was the overseer of their evangelists in New Zealand. For constitution they had nothing but the teachings of the New Testament. … Christ and His apostles were the true interpreters of Scripture. The membership of the sect was about 1200 in New Zealand. Before the war it would have been 700 or 800. They had 28 evangelists at the present time.

19200525 Magistrates Court Letter to Justice Dept p1.

19200525 Magistrates Court Letter to Justice Dept p2.

… bona fide of a more personal belief cannot be satisfactorily tested. I have therefore … set aside mere personal belief in a body of religious doctrine as a ground of exemption.

19200615 McClung letter to Prime Minister Massey p1.

19200615 McClung letter to Prime Minister Massey p2.

The Rt Hon W F Massey, Prime Minister,

Dear Sir,

I beg to bring to your notice that a number of applications from young men and parents of boys belonging to our particular body, known to Military as “Testimony of Jesus” for exemption from Military Training under the Act have been made and exemptions granted by the different Magistrates, but in the case of two young fellows, George and Reginald Adamson of Pukekohe East, and a boy, Matthew Rogers of Auckland, the Magistrates at Pukekohe and Auckland have absolutely refused to grant exemptions, although any evidence they required to prove applications were bona fide, was forthcoming. As the overseer of this body I beg to refer these cases to you so that we may get the benefit of the Act your Honourable Government has passed in the cases named. I’m sorry to have to trespass on your valuable time but we believe the Act should be administered alike in each part of the Dominion and I shall be glad if you will kindly have the matter looked into.

I am Sir, Your obedient Servant, W McClung

19210615 Auckland Star p6 Wally Archer - Testimony of Jesus.

…refused to grant exemption from junior cadet training to a youth W G Archer (16) … The boy’s mother is inclined to a religion called Testimony of Jesus but his father is not of that belief.

19210818 Auckland Star p8 Balfour Wilson - Testimony of Jesus.

… K Balfour M Wilson … asked for exemption from military training. Mr Norman Hanna … said his client belonged to the sect known under the name of “In the Testimony of Jesus” of whom there were about 1200 or 1300 in the Dominion and about 150 in Auckland and suburbs. They met in each other’s houses and had no churches in the ordinary acceptance of the word. The lad was quite sincere in his belief and when he reached the age of 21 intended to dispossess himself of all his worldly goods and become a preacher.

The first witness was Edwin John Maddren, described as an elder of the sect. He said they called themselves Christians among themselves but were known outside under the name mentioned by Counsel. … He did not know who founded the sect, nor when it was started. He had been a member for 11 years. He knew very little about its history but knew it had existed for a very long while.

Mr Hanna pointed out that the sect were successionists from all orthodox churches and did not care about names. At the same time the sect was world-wide.

Witness said their preachers were evangelists who gave everything they had to the poor and went about preaching.

Wilson said he understood that there was about £200 which would come to him when he came of age. It was his intention to give everything away when he came of age … to anyone who is more in need of it than I am

19230718 Auckland Star p4 Testimony of Jesus application for exemption.

Mr Hanna said the applicant belonged to a religious body known to the military authorities as the “Testimony of Jesus.” The body had no name otherwise, but it was world-wide in membership and tenets had been subscribed to for centuries.

19230719 Evening Post p10 Testimony of Jesus application.

19240319 Auckland Star p5 Testimony of Jesus – found … willing to shed blood.

His Worship had heard applications for exemption by young men who represented themselves as being members of a sect known as Testimony of Jesus. Some little time afterwards His Worship received a letter from the founder of the faith*. This letter showed how insincere the applicants had been. It stated that the founder was a true Briton and was willing to shed his last drop of blood for his country and that he was very annoyed to think that any of his followers should make their faith an excuse for trying to evade service.

*Presumably this was a letter from William Irvine, who had been separated from the fellowship from 1914 onwards. His thoughts on military service are stated in a 1923 letter:

EXCERPT ON MILITARY SERVICE FROM Wm. Irvine’s Letter To: Edwards Jerusalem, Palestine August 31, 1923

... The world is like a ship full of passengers all bent on their own purposes, pleasures and destination--lst, 2nd, 3rd, and crew, with officers--with her seacock opened, and nobody aware of the fact, and each so busy, they don’t notice it till it will be too late. Then, the hubbub will come and the SOS will be wirelessed without any chance of reply. They will go down singing, "Nearer, my God, to Thee," little reckoning where the trouble came from, so blind have men become through all their Godless words and works, but it like a snare and a trap for them because of their blind eyes and deaf ears.

...Eddie Cooney now preaches that we are drifting into a famine. If that were all, we would not have much to fear. I suppose he will be preparing for a further delusion. I wonder if there are many strong on "The Rapture?" I enclose a cutting from Auckland, showing their attitude towards military service. Very far from all I taught.

...The whole Old Testament shows that the Jesus of the New Testament was the Lord of Hosts, who never failed to be with the nations that used the sword, against those who used the sword wickedly. And pacifism is the worst form of delusion one could imagine, and proves them to be just as blind to who Jehovah, of the Old Testament, was and is, as are the Jews concerning the Jesus of the New Testament.

...How can a man fear God and honor the King, and refuse to pay his share in money and service in defence of his country and home? It's just as unchristian to refuse to use the Sword of the Lord of Hosts, against the sword of the Wicked One, as it would be to take the sword of the wicked aggression against others.

...Zechariah 14:3 shows that the Lord will go forth and fight against those who take Jerusalem, as in days gone by, and that, by the Christian nations, in vengeance of God against the Moslem world. I suspect out of this will come the Dragon making war against "Those who have the testimony of Jesus," and they will well deserve it, just as the man who would not help put out the fire, which was destroying another man's house, is sure to have his own in danger. God made all men of one blood, but He also fixed the bounds of their habitations, making it a sacred duty of every man, that wants to dwell in any part of the world, to be willing to defend their frontiers and rights, as he would defend his own family, blood, or home. The method of doing this must be determined by his willingness and ability, but no man can escape the responsibility and have the Spirit of God in him. Neither can a man have the Spirit of Christ or God and do violence to his neighbor's landmark consciously.

...All those who take the sword in defense of the Man of God shall perish by the sword, for God cannot honor or protect such, but will leave them to the consequences of their own. Non-resistance is the way of bringing God to our deliverance. To use this as an argument against warfare in defense of our land and home, is to prostitute the words of Jesus.

Yours very truly in Him,

Wm. Irvine

19260118 Auckand Star p6 Cooney Camp Interrupted.

An outbreak of gastro-enteritis rather marred the camp of the Cooneyites, which is being held in a field off New Windsor Rd, Avondale. So far 40-50 cases have been reported… The Cooneyites are a religious sect and are holding a convention which is being attended by delegates from various parts of New Zealand.

19260121 Auckland Star p11 Wilson McClung re Cooney Camp.

“I beg to say that we strongly object to being branded with the name “Cooneyite” which has been given us by a certain section of the community, who have never shown but an unfriendly and unchristian spirit toward us. We believe that to take any name but that of “Christian” would be dishonouring Him who shed His precious blood to redeem us, therefore this is the only name we can acknowledge. Edward Cooney is one of the evangelists in fellowship with us but was not amongst the earliest workers of the movement. A number of the originators, dissatisfied with present-day methods, sought to get back to the Scriptural way of serving God, both for preachers and people, hence our present existence – I am, etc. W McClung, Evangelist”

Sir – I read with interest the news of the Cooneyite or “Go-Preacher” camp being disturbed by some strange illness breaking out. May I suggest this very fact is a strong argument against the claims of this new sect. They have met denouncing all other creeds as wrong because they alone follow the teaching of Jesus, basing this claim upon the fact that ministers of other churches have fixed salaries while Jesus commanded His disciples to go “without purse” and to not possess “two coats.” They forget that these instructions were given to a little band of followers sent on a brief and urgent mission and was never intended to form a fixed rule for preachers of the gospel through all ages. Again, They fail to see that the little band sent forth under such instruction had “power to curer all manner of diseases.” May we not ask any Cooneyite “Why are you not able to check this outbreak if your commission holds good?” It is regrettable that so many mushroom sects, extravagant and unscriptural in their teaching, should so delude earnest folk so as to divide the Church of God.

I am, etc. SANE BALANCE

19260126 The Evening Post p4 Wilson McClung re Cooneyite name.

In “The Post” of Tuesday, 19th January last, a paragraph recorded an outbreak of gastro-enteritis at a camp of “Cooneyites” which was in progress at New Windsor road, Avondale, Auckland. Mr W McClung, evangelist, writes from Auckland protesting against the use of the name “Cooneyite” in connection with their religious sect. The correspondent points out that they strongly object to the name which has been given them by a certain section of the community, who have never shown but an unfriendly and unchristian spirit toward the sect. He says “We believe that to take any name but that of “Christian” would be dishonouring Him who shed His precious blood to redeem us, therefore this is the only name we can acknowledge. “ Edward Cooney is one of the evangelists in fellowship with them, continues Mr McClung, but he was not amongst the earliest workers of the movement. A number of the originators, dissatisfied with present-day methods, sought to get back to the Scriptural way of serving God, both for preachers and people, hence the present existence of the “Christians.”

19290621Auckland Star p5 James Ramsay and Charles Ross, members of a faith without a name but called themselves Christian.

19361027 Auckland Star p4. Passengers for Sydney - Edward Cooney.

Passengers for Sydney … Cabin Class … Mr Edward Cooney

19401212 Evening Post p15 Christian Assemblies of Australia and New Zealand.

Exemption from Territorial Training claimed on grounds of being a Minister of the Gospel by a member of the Christian Assemblies of Australia and New Zealand.

Overseer of the organisation Mr W McClung certified that the applicant was an ordained minister of the gospel "labouring in fellowship with the body of Christians assuming this name only".

It was noted that the ministers had not applied to be officiating ministers under the Marriage Act.

The organisation had no buildings of its own. No salaries were paid and the workers relied on donations...

The appellant: I wanted to go preaching and I asked Mr. McClung, and he appointed me.

Mr. Hay: Strictly speaking, there is no real organisation. Would you put yourself forward in the ordinary way as a minister of religion?

The appellant: Yes. My full time is devoted to it.

The appellant: I take it that I am a minister in the ordinary way preaching the Gospel. We are recognised as ministers of the Gospel in England and are exempt from military service. We also have exemption as ministers of the Gospel from paying the levy here. A copy of a letter advising of the exemption given in England was in the possession of a brother worker in Masterton, the appellant added.

19401212 Evening Post p15 McClung Christian Assemblies and UK exemption.

See separate document - ordained minister of the Gospel, "labouring in fellowship with the body of Christians assuming this name only,"

19401217 Evening Post p9 Christian Assemblies Minister.

Appeal by minister of Christian Assemblies of Australia and New Zealand dismissed

19410206 Auckland Star p9 Doug McConnell John Gunson.

Douglas Hill McConnell (26) appealed on the basis of religious views: war is entirely contrary to the spirit of the teachings of Christ.

Views held for 7.5 years - belong to Christian Assembly of Australia and New Zealand.

…has been in existence… from the beginning of time. The attitude taken was that of the founder of Christianity. The organised body to which he was attached was well established.

John Gunson said the appellant was a sincere and conscientious believer of the sect. There were thousands of people in this organisation all over New Zealand. The preachers went out two by two, took no salary and had no homes. "There is not, I believe, such a body of preachers in the whole world" said Gunson.

19410218 Evening Post p9 Les Mills Ralph Beattie.

Leslie John Mills a missionary, was described by his counsel as an ordained minister of a body of Christians who had no churches and no name as a denomination.

Ralph Beattie, another minister, said the body … abided by the New Testament and consequently simply called themselves Christians.

19410613 Auckland Star p5 Ben Brownrigg.

Benjamin Brownrigg belonged to a sect which called themselves Christians, which met in their own homes. His conscience would not let him do anything connected with the war machine.

19410616 Evening Post p8 Fred Yates.

Frederick Yates had strong religious convictions and objected to wearing khaki or bearing arms. War was foreign to the principles of his organisation.

19410801 Auckland Star p8 Brownrigg.

In Court Martial, Gunner Benjamin Brownrigg charged with disobeying a lawful command by wilful defiance, by refusing to wear the King's uniform.

19410802 Auckland Star p10 Ben Brownrigg.

Brownrigg had been a member of the Assembly of Christians for 28 years and since 1927 had been an ordained minister.

19410816 Auckland Star p9 Brownrigg.

Labour Party to write to Minister of Justice and Minister of Defence re Brownrigg's sentence of 6 months hard labour.

19410902 Evening Post p8 Bob Meek.

Percy Robert Meek appealed as a member of Christian Assemblies of God.

19411007 Evening Post p6 R Mowatt.

Mowatt appealed as a member of the Christian Assemblies of Australia and New Zealand.

19411114 Evening Post p2 Bill Kells.

William Kenneth Kells belonged to an organisation known as Christians.

19420107 Auckland Star p8 Fred Yates.

Fred Yates, who had served a prison sentence as a conscientious objector, was committed to defaulters' detention.

19420428 Auckland Star p4 Graham Rockley Phil Kells.

Graham Rockley ordered to defaulters camp; Phil Kells ordered to detention camp.

19420521 Evening Post p6 Ken Whitcher.

Kenneth Henry Whitcher, member of Christian Assemblies of Australia and New Zealand, told the board he had not had a smoke or a drink or a swear for 12 years, and the only books he had read were the Bible and a manual on beekeeping.

19420528 Auckland Star p8 Hector McIntyre christian.

Hector Reuben McIntyre, member of a sect called Christians, was not prepared to do non-combatant service but was currently making army huts.

19420923 Auckland Star p4 Ernie Bush Willie Hughes.

Ernest William Bush, evangelist, appealed against military service as he was a minister of the gospel.

William John Hughes, senior minister of the Christian Assemblies of New Zealand, gave evidence that Bush had been ordained and had been a minister for 14 years.

19421023 Auckland Star p4 Harold Reeve.

Harold Reeve was a member of the sect of Christians.

19421028 Auckland Star p4 Walter Henry Caves.

Caves appealed on the basis of hardship (5 children under 5); previous appeal as a CO had been unsuccessful.

19450129 Auckland Star p1 Annie McClung Funeral Notice.

Annie Elizabeth McClung, wife of the late John Wilson McClung, died at her home.

[Wilson McClung had been overseer of NZ]

19450130 Auckland Star p1 Annie McClung funeral notice.

Annie McClung funeral service at 31 Boyd Ave

19450627 Auckland Star p6 Donaldson McConnell Monteith Hughes.

Revision Authority appeals of conscientious objectors held in detention camps for release on parole, including Arthur Roy Donaldson and Douglas H McConnell, both associated with the Fellowship of Christian Assemblies. Counsel delved into the views of the Church of Christian Assemblies, from which most of the detainees came. Each said that there was no definite attitude on the part of the organisation toward the question [of non-combatant service]; it was left to individual conscience.

Mr Thomas Monteith and William John Hughes, ministers of the "Fellowship" admitted that 95% of their young men had refused military service but held that there was no special guidance on the question, offered by the organisation.

19450629 Auckland Star p6 Dave Lomas Harry Nixon.

David Robert Lomas, applying for release from detention camp, said he could love the commandant of the Belsen atrocity camp with God's help because the commandant was human like everyone else. Lomas said he had held these beliefs for 12 years as a member of The Fellowship of Christian Assemblies. Evidence of the applicant's sincerity was given by 2 witnesses including Harry Lewis Nixon.

19450704 Evening Post p8 Bob Meek.

Percy Robert Meek said his stay in detention had been one of his best experiences. He was a member of the Christian Assemblies.

19450704 Evening Post p9 Dave Lomas Harry Nixon.

David Robert Lomas, applying for release from detention camp, said he could love the commandant of the Belsen atrocity camp with God's help because the commandant was human like everyone else. Lomas said he had held these beliefs for 12 years as a member of The Fellowship of Christian Assemblies. Evidence f the applicant's sincerity was given by 2 witnesses including Harry Lewis Nixon.

19450705 Evening Post p6 Willie Hughes Christian Assemblies.

97% of men associated with Christian Assemblies are against military service, even as non-combatants said William John Hughes, senior minister for the Assemblies in New Zealand, yet when appeals were heard 5.8% were successful I one district and 55.5% in another district and there was no difference in sincerity or Christian character of any of the appellants.

Mr Hughes compared this with Quakers whose attitude toward war was accepted without question, although there was no difference between the attitudes of the 2 bodies except Quakers adopted an anti-war attitude as a tenet of their faith whereas Assemblies left it to individual conscience which added up to 97% of the eligible male membership.

19450709 Auckland Star p6 Laurie Stockdale Willie Hughes Joe Hogan Godfrey Curran.

Edmund Laurence Stockdale said that as a member of Christian Assemblies he did not go to pictures or dances, he did not drink and had given up all worldly pleasures as they would crowd out Christ if he indulged them.

Rev. William John Hughes noted that members of the fellowship were not exempt from weaknesses of the human flesh. It was noted that the conduct of most of the Christian Assemblies members had been good.

19450710 Auckland Star p6 Willie Hughes Christian Assemblies James Boyers Tom Monteith Ian Browne.

Rev. William John Hughes complained about the difference in treatment accorded Quakers & Christadelphians as against that accorded the Fellowship of Christian Assemblies. Quakers and Christadelphians only had to prove genuine membership to be exempt.

"Our Fellowship does not preach against war and we are anxious to do all we can to help. We believe in the freedom of the individual conscience.

Mr Greenberg said he had suggested that members of the Christian Assemblies in detention should offer themselves to go into the Pacific jungles and help, under civilian control, but they had all refused.

James Crawford Boyers said he had renounced worldly pleasures to follow Christ. He had offered himself as a medical orderly for a leper colony but had come to believe that God was more interested in healing of the soul than of the body.

Rev. Thomas Joseph Monteith, a minister in the Christian Assemblies, said a test of sincerity would be to see the fruits of the Christian spirit manifest in the man's life.

Douglas Browne (27) chiropractor, member of the Christian Assemblies, also appealed.

19450711 Auckland Star p6 Bill Richardson Des Eggleton Willie Hughes Tom Richardson et al.

Released on parole - A R Donaldson; D H McConnell; R J Underwood, D R Lomas.

The director of detention camps said that William Erskine Richardson had given every evidence of sincerity within the beliefs he has enunciated and his conduct has been outstandingly splendid. Verbal skirmishing with quotations from the bible was carried on with good humour. Richardson said he and his family were members of the Christian Assemblies and his elder brother had a successful appeal against military training. Witness Albert Eggleton said he believed Richardson's views were as genuine as his son who had appealed successfully.

19450712 Auckland Star p6 Colin Jones.

Appeal by Colin Alfred Jones, member of the Christian Assemblies.

19450717 Auckland Star p4 Colin Osbaldiston Will Finnemore.

Colin Kelso Osbaldiston said he decided to give up all the pleasures of the world and follow in the footsteps of the Master after becoming a member of the Christian Assembly. He said he took his stand against war as if he had not he would not be able to inherit the Eternal Kingdom which he was seeking. He admitted breaking out of camp for 4 hours to visit his wife.

William John Finnemore applied for release. His brother, who was not of the appellant's faith, said he respected the stand he had taken.

19450719 Auckland Star p8 Arthur Gambling.

Arthur Frederick Gambling applied for release. He joined the Christian Assembly in 1940.

19450723 Auckland Star p6 Fred Yates.

Frederick Yates, a member of the Christian Assembly for 19 years, applied for release.

19450724 Auckland Star p6 McKenzie brothers.

Three brothers of Malcolm Knight McKenzie appeared as witnesses for him. He had been a member of the Christian Assemblies for over 16 years.

19450726 Auckland Star p6 Kells.

Appeal by Phillip Stanley Kells, a member of the Christian Assembly.

19450730 Auckland Star p6 Gordon McCarthy.

Appeal by Gordon Leslie Eric McCarthy, a member of the Christian Assembly.

19450803 Auckland Star p6 Norm Muldoon Matt Frost et al.

Norman Leslie Muldoon said his parents belonged to the Christian Assembly and meetings were held at their home.

Matthew Johnson Frost , an active member of the Christian Assembly, said non-combatant service was like holding a first aid kit for a bank robber. Released on parole: Ian Browne, James Langman, David McCarthy, Malcolm McKenzie, Fred Phillips.

Refused: Kenneth Billings, Colin Osbaldiston, Fred Yates.

19450803 Auckland Star p7 Herb Taylor Christian Assemblies.

Herbert Eric Lionel Taylor gave up the Presbyterian Church when he was 14 and joined the Christian Assemblies but for personal reasons had left in 1941.

Other reports relating to Conscientious Objectors generally (not specifically 2x2s) include:

19130121 Evening Post p8 COs to do roadmaking.

19130123 Dominion Post p4 COs to do roadmaking.

19160412 Wairarapa Daily Times p5 Searching for men unenlisted.

19160624 Northern Advocate p3 Compulsion Bill.

19160722 Auckland Star p9 Parliament debate.

19160722 Hawera and Normanby Star p5 Parliament.

19160722 Poverty Bay Herald p4 Parliament debate.

19160722 The Press p8 Parliament agreement.

19160722 Evening Post p5 Parliamentary debate.

19160725 Thames Star p4 Parliament conflict.

19161004 Dominion p6 Military Service Act Appeals Board.

19170110 Otago Daily times p6 re Brethren.

19170425 Auckland Star p8 Non combatant work and pay.

19170425 Dominion p5 Non combatant work.

19170425 Evening Post p3 Non combatant work.

19170425 Evening Post p8 Religious objectors work on State farms.

19170425 The Colonist p2 Military Service Regulations.

19170425 The Press p6 Non combatant work.

19170426 Northern Advocate p2 CO farm work.

19170516 The Colonist p12 Conrad Russ - Brethren.

19180114 The Press p6 Clergy exemption.

19180114 The Press p6 Prisoner escape.

19180116 The Colonist p3 Arthur Johns escape.

19180502 Auckland Star p4 7 Day Adventists.

19180508 Poverty Bay Herald p6 COs not benefiting.

19180509 The Press p3 COs not benefiting.

19180629 NZ Truth p6 Baxter in France.

19190116 Auckland Star p6 Defense Minister Advisory Board re COs.

19190710 Evening Post p4 COs should be set free.

19190719 Grey River Argus p3 COs should be set free.

19410211 Auckland Star p6 letter to editor recognition of religions.

19410617 Auckland Star p6 Nat Service Regs 1940.

19410618 Auckland Star p6 editorial against COs.

19410620 Auckland Star p6 re conscience.

19410719 Auckland Star p8 teachers dismissed.

19410811 Auckland Star p6 Tribunal set up.

19411022 Auckland Star p6 Baptist resolution to support conscience.

19411030 Auckland Star p6 Bias in hearings.

19411031 Auckland Star p3 RSA re COs.

19411117 Auckland Star p6 Quakers and Christadelphians.

19411118 Auckland Star p6 Strathmore camp.

19411119 Auckland Star p6 editorial.

19411121 Auckland Star p2 Methodist tolerance of conscience.

19411127 Auckland Star p2 Bishop says men must follow conscience.

19411202 Auckland Star p6 Biased Auckland hearings.

19420213 Auckland Star p6 Questioning of Christian Pacifist.

19420825 Auckland Star p5 COs on military pay.

19430203 Auckland Star p4 Brethren CO asks for non combat service.

19430703 Auckland Star p6 Ballot and objection numbers.

19441004 Auckland Star p4 re men in Strathmore camp.

19450124 Auckland Star p8 CO Definition.

19450302 Auckland Star p4 editorial.

19450629 Auckland Star p8 Variation in appeal rates.

19450706 Auckland Star p6 Hansen escape.

19451003 Auckland Star p6 Objectors to be released when most men return.

19451210 Auckland Star p4 Letter to editor.