THE DEFAULTERS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 22, 23 December 1944, Page 5

THE DEFAULTERS

VICAR'S CONTEMPT.

EQUALITY OF SACRIFICE

NEW PLYMOUTH, Dec. 22

Strong condemnation of military defaulters was expressed by Rev. Harold Heaslip, vicar of Holy Trinity Church, Stratford, when he spoke of the future policy in New Zealand for the treatment of military defaulters and conscientious objectors. "I believe that the Church fails in its work if it neglects to think and speak if necessary on the problems which affect the people," declared Mr Heaslip. "If you and I are not fighting in the forces, we have a responsibility to those who are to see that as far as possible there shall Ifc equality of sacrifice. No man can make a greater sacrifice than the offering of his body and soul in the prosecution of a righteous cause, and who will say that our forces are not fighting in a righteous cause ? "Many people have been astonished and disgusted over what they have learned from some members of Parliament when regret was expressed that the petition presented on behalf of military defaulters was unsuccessful," be said. "Many people resented the attitude of the Government toward the public with regard to those who had flouted the laws of the land. THE MAN WHO SHIRKS.

"I have not much sympathy for the conscientious objectors, but I have nothing but contempt for the man who shirks his duty and becomes a defaulter. 1 ask you, in fairness, what justification have defaulters to a claim to the Atlantic Charter when, had it uot been for our forces, there would have been an Axis charter?".

The frequent argument of the conscientious objector and some others was that war could not be prevented by waging wars, continued Mr Heaslip. it should be remembered that the onlyway to prevent illegal wars was to be ready and willing to prosecute a legal war, just as the only way to prevent crime was to commit certain.actions on a legal basis. Total independence in nations or in members of individual nations meant that every other nation or individual was independent to do as it or he wished. There must he control. "Do conscientious objectors and defaulters refuse to pay taxes, most of which go to war purposes?" he asked. "The Christian soldier, like the military soldier, has a duty to perform, and both must be as one if righteousness is to prevail among men. St. Paul once said 'lf a man will not work, neither shall he eat,' and the man who will not protect his country should not share the fruits of this fair and pleasant land."