LETTER TO RECRUITS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 265, 8 October 1940, Page 6

LETTER TO RECRUITS.

CALL TO REFUSE SERVICE. FIFTH COLUMN SUSPECTED.' Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 7. Almost every man whose name appeared last week in the lists of those called for Territorial service received this morning a circular from some unknown source calling on him to refuse military duty. The documents consisted of a cyclostyled foolscap s'heet which bore no signature or other indication of origin and were contained in envelopes which gave no clue. The circulars were distributed practically throughout New Zealand. It is understood Canterbury -was well covered. In Christchurch the circulars were delivered to addresses contained in the published lists of the men called up. The delivery was apparently made between 10 p.m. on Sunday evening and 6.30 a.m. to-day, some to private addresses and some to business addresses. Many were thrust under doors. Timaru residents received theirs through the post in envelopes bearing an Ashburton postmark dated Sunday. That the distribution was so general shows that the organisation responsible is widespread and well organised. The document is undated and bears no indication of the person or body responsible. It carries no superscription or imprint. It starts: “Dear Fellow Citizens, and follows with the statement in capital letters: “You have been conscripted for military service.” Then follows an exhortation to all who were called up to refuse military duty. The Mayor (Mr R. M. Macfarlane, M.P.) described the statement as treason and announced to a meeting of patriotic bodies to-day that ne had sent a telegram to the Prime Minister drawing liis attention, to it. The matter has also been referred to the police. The Minister for Supply (Hon. D. G. Sulliv.an), to whose attention the circular was drawn, said that he was gravely concerned that such a document should have been distributed.

“FOUL AND TREACHEROUS.” “It is a foul and treacherous document and the most treasonable I have ever read.” said Hon. R. Semple (Minister for National Service), who saw a copy of the letter to-day. “In view of the fact that it was addressed to the men who have been called up for Territorial sendee—that is for home defence —it is clear that the people who issued it are members of (the Fifth Column and uncompromising enemies of New Zealand who would surrender New Zealand to a foreign foe at no matter what cost to their country. It is a foul and treacherous document.” Mr Semple said that the wide distribution of t'he document proved that there was a large organisation disseminating it and other such letters. It showed that the Fifth Column in New Zealand was far larger than most people imagined. “The document proves conclusively the statement that I have made many times and have been taken to task for making, and that is that there is a Fifth Column in this country,” said the Minister. “T'he Territorials have been called up so that they can train to defend New Zealand against any invasion and thus protect the homes and lives of the people of this country, and, above all, protect the heritage of the rising generation. The sooner those people are cleaned up and get what is coming to them Hie better. If these cowards who are prepared to surrender their country to a foreign Power were to make a statement of that kind in some countries they would be shot on sight without trial. There is a great difference between honest differences of opinion and organised treachery which would lead to the betrayal of decent people who only want to lead their own lives and carve out their own destinies. “I am amazed and shocked to think that there is anyone in New Zealand so mean and contemptible as to issue this threat against the people and liberties they enjoy; I know what I would do with such creatures if I had my way. They are traitors of the worst S. Rawle, of the Christchurch police, who showed himself to be acquainted with the circular and Its contents, said that he could make no comment on t'he position.