FURTHER R.S.A. PROTEST

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 135, 9 June 1945, Page 9

FURTHER R.S.A. PROTEST

P.A. WANGANUI, June 8. "This association, representing those who fought tot this, country during two major Wats within a quarter of a century is most dismayed at the reCent decision of the Government in Connection with inilitiary defaulters.'' i-eads a telegram sent by the WaVerley branch of the New Zealand R.S.A. to the Acting Prime Minister (Mr. Nash)* It continues: "First* "we 'feel th^t these inert in refusing to,, protect NeW Zealand from an eherny even mot e barbaric and ruthless thah our enemies in the last War should not be better treated thah defaulters wei.e then, Secondly, 'ttf exclude the Pfeiss arid public from the inquiries is Unjustifiable ahd must meet With widespread opposition from the people of this country* Thirdly, we coi-side.f that to give these hien who have been , ad*' jixd-cated |s hot being genuine in their objections a _*etrial wheh others: who have gdtte oVerse&s in obedience to the decision of the tribunals have served, and even died, in the service' of their fellow-men is unfair. "In conclusion, this assqciatioh calls on the Government to bring into effect the wish of the people that these lawbreakers, whose cases have all. been heard by a properly-Constituted tribunal* be retained ih detention camps till all servicemen have retUrhed and been rehabilitated,, and that they be excluded from the Public Service and deprived 6f civil eights for 10 years."