Mr. Hodgens, Please Reply

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 224, 21 September 1943, Page 4

Mr. Hodgens, Please Reply

(To the Editor.) Sir, —A few days ago I was told that parcels posted to men in defaulters * detention camps ("Conchies” in tho current slang) wont post free. I did not believe it, thinking this is just a bit of political whispering to damn the Government. On saying so I was told to test it for myself. Being later at the City Post Office, memory brought up the argument and 1 asked what was tHo position. A young lady at the counter replied that she thought the usual parcel postage was payable. On being asked to verify that, she consulted ua official w ho, after looking up the matter, was able to give the definite reply:—"No postage is payable oa either parcels or mail to men in defaulter’s camps.” Was 1 surprised? or amazed would be a better word and dazed still better. Long ugo 1 laughed on iirst hearing the joke from a soldier, that wc must treat our "conchies’ 9 gently as they will provide our Government in twenty years' time. It’s a joke no longer to me. It is Government policy. For such an arrangement could come only through conscious, positive action. What say you wives, mothers, sweethearts and fathers, who pay postage on parcels sent to tho boys you have in camp in New Zealand or-overseas? It seems indeed that the old adage that "a fellow feeling makes us wondrous kind” rules “New Zealand to-day. Would Mr. J. Hodgens, M.P., the Government’s spokesman in this city desire to offer an explanation? Surely one is called for. I do not object to fair treatment of these defaulters, who ure not keen about getting into the war, but why give them special Why did the Government make such a ruling? After Airs. Dreaver *s address, I do not care to give my name, but anyone can personally verify the facts arc ns stated. Incidentally, I am not a member of any candidate’s committee or organisation.—l am, etc., A FAIR DEAL.”