RELEASE OF C.O.’S SOUGHT

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24095, 3 November 1943, Page 4

RELEASE OF C.O.’S SOUGHT

?i r ,—Does M. G. Townend stop to think of the grave offence committed by a conscientious objector against our nation? Many of our men have forfeited their lives; some are returned in broken health, while others are maimed for life. The frontiers of New Zealand are written in blood on the Libyan Desert and now in the Pacific islands. These men have played the part of true Britishers, and their names will go down to posterity Likewise, the conscientious objector will never be forgotten. He has proved himself to be contrary to our just cause and is a lasting disgrace to his name. If, as M. G. Townend suggests. he should be released for employment, my answer would be, yes. but keep him under a strict guard and make him do a proper day’s work, pay him nothing, and return him to his cell at night—Yours, etc. LEONARD ENGLAND. November 2, 1943. Sir,—May I have the opportunity of supporting the letter of M. G Townend in “The Press” this morning, appealing for the abolition of the detention camps in New Zealand and the utilisation of the services of the conscientious objectors in work for which their qualifications fit them I think the public of New Zealand should face the fact that these are really concentration camps (whatever improvement they are on the Continental pattern) and that men of undeniably fine character and absolute sincerity are detained for an indefinite period, after serving as much as five months in an ordinary prison: and some of these men have already served sentences of two vears. The time is long overdue for the review of these sentences The sincerity of many, to my knowledge, could be amply proved to a reasonable court The present system is wasteful of fine material and a reprflSch to our country.—Yours, etc., R THURLOW THOMPSON. November 2 1943. and £9605 for depreciation, and transferring £2OOO to reserves, a balance remained to the credit of profit and loss account of £25.760 The directors recommend payment of a final dividend of 3 per cent from trading and 3 per cent, from revenue from investments, absorbing £5722. and the carrying forward of £20,023.—(P.5.5.)