E. J. and Edward James
(To the Editor.) Sir, —I notice that iu the published list of members of the Rehabilitation Committee there appears the name of one E. J. Bowatcr who is apparently the sole representative of the Manawatu County area, who will, I presume, be responsible for looking after returned soldiers of that wide and important area. In view of the importance of the appointment to the men who are lighting for their country, may I ask, Sir, if this E. J. Bowater is any relation to Edward James Bowater, union secretary, who iu June of last year, in ap pearing before the Manpower Board on oelialt or a conscientious objector, said that he (Bowater) would not defend New Zealand because the sacrifice would be too great? Is he also any relation to Edward James Bowater, union secretary, of Sanson, who appealed against Home Guard service in September last? In the course of his evidence, according to a report in “The Times,” Edward James Bowater said: “The only way to stop war was to refuse to take part iu it, and to that cud he would do his part.” If L. J. Bowater and Edward James Bowater are one and the same person, what will bo the feelings of our brave boys when they return from tho front and find that they have to consult an individual who refused to fight for his country—refused even to lift a hand to defend it agaiust the Japanese invader ? I can think of no greater insult that could be offered to our immortal boys of the Eighth Army—“that Ball of Fire’ as Winston Churchill so aptly called them. Ye Gods, what a parody!—l am, etc., RETURNED SOLDIER. REHABILITATION COMMITTEE The National Rehabilitation Board has announced that the following have been appointed members of thj District Rehabilitation Committee with headquarters at Palmerston North": Messrs W. R. Hopcroft, Aokautere; A. E. Mewton, Palmerston North; E. J. Bowater, Sanson; W. E. Winks, Palmerston North, J. Hodgens, M.P., Palmerston North; and Mrs. J. A. Brown, Palmerston North. Mr. T. R. Lees, as member of tho National Rehabilitation Council, will bo chairman of the district Committee. Mr. J. L. C. Merton has been appointed secretary of the Committee. It is understood that the first meeting will be held during the ensuing week.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MT19421116.2.18
Bibliographic details
Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 271, 16 November 1942, Page 4
Word Count
386E. J. and Edward James Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 271, 16 November 1942, Page 4
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Manawatu Times. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.