PUNISHMENT UNDER THE DEFENCE ACT.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14306, 18 March 1912, Page 9

PUNISHMENT UNDER THE DEFENCE ACT.

TO TOE EDITOR OF "THE PRESS." Sir, —In your issue of Saturday is a statement by Sir Joseph Ward disclaiming any desire on his part that Jads should bo sent to prison for refusing to be coerced into joining the Army under conscription regulations. Now, whilst wo fully appreciate the spirit that prompts this expression of opinion on his part, we cannot but wonder that he, well knowing, as his utterances .show he did, the feeling jn the country against such a measure as the Defence Act, should have ever dreamed of placing it on the Statute Book, and so creating the necessity of having to resort to a punishment which on the face of it is abhorrent to him and the magistrates. We would wain Sir Joseph that he will make a gravo mistake in tinkering with the Act on the lines suggested by hini. viz., adopting tho Australian system, which we hold strongly to be ns pernicious as imprisonment itself. The method there is that tho objector, on conviction, shall be liable to" a fine of anything from £5 to £1.00, and in addition may be committed to a place of detention in the custody of any prescribed authority for the time corresponding in duration to the time which, in the opinion of the Court, would be taken up in rendering personal service. This is unadulterated persecution, and i>; meeting with strenuous opposition in Australia. We should oppose such a system being introduced here with all the power at our command, and wo warn parents now against allowing such a flagrant infringement of their liberties. }Y<? recogniVe that tho odium of imprisonment of otir respectable lads is unpleasant to the authorities, and that they would much prefer to enforce submission to their military rule by more stealthy means, hut wo can assure them that we will have none of it. Military nile is always obnoxious, even in the j open, but when permitted to assume! any sach form as that suggested, it ■vould become vile.—Yours, etc., C. R. X. MACKIE.