DEFAULTERS AND PATRIOTISM

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21753, 30 June 1945, Page 6

DEFAULTERS AND PATRIOTISM

Sir,—Tlie letter of '"Returned " Soldier”

which appeared in the Herald a few days ago came like a breath of fresh air : into : the polluted atmosphere of political bias and unreasoned prejudice that has prompted most expressions of opinion on the release of conscientious objectors on piiroie. May 'I, through your columns, thank “Returned Soldier” for giving us the opportunity of reading something decent and clean l }-, something more iu keeping with British justice and the'generous spirit of genuine- democracy. It is regrettable that ‘John Citizen” secs an ulterior political' motive, but, ; then. It is quite clear that, iu political matterßi "John” suiters froiii’the same 1 optical' 1 defect as his friend Lord Nelson, v I’ jorn-'ORe-turned Soldier” in upholding the dedisiontOf the' Government to review the ■ cases' iof detained -conscientious objectors as being the only course of action consistent with' true democracy and the principle of freedom’fhr which the 'United Nations are fighting.— NOT POLITICAL'. ' Pro-.

Sir, —I would like to point out to “John Citizen” that, 'unlike Lord Nelson; ’I have two eyes wide open' to the subtle’ propaganda under; the heading of defaulters' and -patrioti ism. Your correspondent makes a definite statement that defaulters will receive' a gratuity of Is per day, holiday and rail concession and mufti ■ grant'out of the recent war loan. This is not ortly untrue blit unpatriotic, as such a statement may affect any future war loan. To’asßure ‘.'John Citizen” and the public that no reward would be paid to objectors, 1 1 wired"■-Parliament: "Will conscientious objectors’ receive gratuity, holiday and rail concessions and mufti grant?" The reply was “No to each matter mentioned." Now that “John Citizen’s” statement’ has been proved untrue; -will he give me the authority for his statement that Mr. Peter Fraser was offered the x'eledsfe pf the N.Z. Division whilst in Italy ? • '■l' am chided by your correspondent of being more concerned with defending Cabinet than the cause 1 of the servicemen, Any man or body of meii should be defended against lintrxle criticism. The measures passed by Cabinet have proved to everyone, other than- a - biased reactionary, that the soldier is going ttt'bei and is being well eared ior. Our Finance Minister has told us that taxation eould’not be reduced until our men were rehabilitated! I would not like to suggest that thU is-the reason why the defaulter red herring is being dragged across’the train, but I am beginning to get suspicious.—RETURNED SOLDIER.