Military Defaulters

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 260, 31 July 1944, Page 4

Military Defaulters

Sir, —One learns with amazement that the manpower situation is being used for tlie purpose of petitioning for the release of conscientious objectors and defaulters. One point, which is completely overlooked is that all these men arc lawbreakers.

Tlie war is not yet over. To release these lawbreakers, even on soldiers’ pay, could not be called a gesture of encouragement to the men of our armed services, manj- of whom are fated to suffer, and even die before peace is restored. The “soldiers’ pay” argument makes no allowance for the natural reluctance of these defaulters to accept anything even tainted with tlie description “soldiers’ ”, •and certainly there is no guarantee that once released the defaulters would not make up their respective incomes by taking jobs on the black market for labour. Surely the sensible thing is to keep the men in camps until after all our service men have returned, and nil the servicemen reinstated in civilian life. Then, and then only, should objectors and defaulters be released to enjoy a way of life which they have not appreciated enough to convince them that it is worth a sacrifice. —I am, etc., THE DRAGON. Wellington, July 27.