KEEPING THINGS IN PROPORTION

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 163, 12 July 1945, Page 4

KEEPING THINGS IN PROPORTION

yHERE were published yesterday two reports from different provincial centres which furnished an interesting contrast. 'One was of a public meeting in Palmerston North., where a strongly-worded resolution was carried in protest against the release of any military defaulter, a resolution supported, among others, by a representative of the R.S.A. The other was of an appeal to the people of New Plymouth, by the R.S.A., to make accommodation available to ex-servicemen. Lt was stated that 130 ex-servicemen (and about 470 others) await houses in New Plymouth, and 17 cases are ''urgent" and nine "desperate." Which of these is the graver matter? On which can public opinion be mobilised with the greater prospect of fruitful action? In respect of the first, there are believed to be about 650 military defaulters, of whom, according to the estimate of a member of the War Cabinet, Mr. Hamilton, about 100 may be released, on parole, by the tribunals now sitting. Whatever may be thought of the decision to appoint the tribunals, it is certain that it will not be reversed. In respect of the second matter, it is notorious that, not hundreds, but many thousands of people, including ex-servicemen, need homes. It is unfortunately certain that, with the return of some 27,000 men from overseas, expected before the end of the year, the housing shortage will become worse. If a great effort is made, an effort witii full public support, the period in which the situation will be worse than it is now can be shortened, perhaps very considerably. If no. such effort is made, or if, being launched, it is weakened by diffusion ■of purpose, or by distraction of public attention to matters less important, and less remediable, the period will be lengthened, to the grave detriment of the community in general and ex-servicemen in particular. In Auckland the prospective situation is one which is causing the utmost concern to all those, like the Mayor, who are daity confronted by the unfortunate victims of the present situation. It has already led the City Council to decide to extend the transit camp scheme, and to the appointment of a representative committee to investigate other emergency action. Both council and committee are entitled to the utmost degree of public support for every practicable measure they propose. If they are hampered by complacency, or obstructed by selfishness, then the community will expose itself to the reproach that it is treating lightly the pledges which were given every serviceman when he went abroad to fight. This is a matter which ought to be divorced from "politics." General disapproval of the Government's policy, or disapproval of particular Government actions, must not be allowed to interfere with the community's obligation to the servicemen. It is to be hoped that the Returned Services' Association, which is expected to be the spearhead of all movements for the benefit of ex-ser-vicemen, will make clear to the public that in its mind some things (and one thing in particular) are more important than others. It should declare its priorities. It feels strongly on the question of the treatment of military defaulters; it also feels strongly about'the housing of ex-ser-vicemen and their general rehabilitation. But these matters are far from-being of equal importance. If the defaulter question, and the alien refugee question, were dealt with exactly as the R.S.A. wishes, there would be aroused a controversy that could leave a legacy of bitter dissension in the community—and the housing question would remain, and be more difficult to solve. The R.SA.. must, of course, continually watch ex-servicemen's interests in every respect, but housing is so important that all other questions must be subordinate to it. On this the association can expect, and justifiably demand, the utmost degree of public support. It should not weaken the prospect of that support by allowing an impression to be created that it is more strongly interested in other matters which are less important and more controversial.