Torture In Vietnam?

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32217, 9 February 1970, Page 14

Torture In Vietnam?

Sir, —The Rev. David M. Taylor, secretary of the National Council of Churches, has written an article which if true, should spur every Christian to demand through their churches, clubs, fellowships, mothers’ unions, and as individuals, by telegrams and letters to Mr Holyoake, that

New Zealand not only immediately withdraw its troops from Vietnam, but publicly condemn what we as a Christian country are supporting in that God-forsaken land. When Mr Taylor quotes from the United States study team on religious and political freedom in Vietnam, that suppression of both political and religious freedom is widespread and that to even speak of peace brings a charge of Communist sympathy and arrest without trial, then I think it is about time for us to question our Prime Minister’s constantly reiterated statements which imply that anything or anyone opposed to communism is automatically on the side of God and good. Surely in the face of such facts as Mr Taylor writes Mr Holyoake cannot seriously expect us to believe these terrible stories are a Communist invention.—Yours, etc., DULCIE JOHNSON. February 7, 1970.

Sir, —Mr Holyoake’s comments on the Rev. David Taylor’s article in "The Press” on February 7 run true to form. The article dealt with the torture and persecution of South Vietnamese civilians imprisoned because of their political and religious beliefs. In his reply Mr Holyoake sidesteps the issue by giving a lengthy dissertation on prisoners-of-war. with whom Mr Taylor’s article was not concerned. He also seizes the opportunity to enlarge upon “Communist acts of terrorism,” but omits all mention of the terror resulting from nearly three million tons of bombs dropped on suspected, repeat suspected, Viet Cong concentrations. He also grasps the chance to condemn Communist propaganda and then gives free rein to his own brand, including a pathetic attempt to whitewash the Thieu regime as a Government "elected in accordance with accepted democrat!: processes." These processes included the barring of candidates not favoured by Thieu.—Yours, etc., SCRUTINEER. February 8, 1970.