DEFAULTERS AND CIVIL RIGHTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 18 April 1944, Page 3

DEFAULTERS AND CIVIL RIGHTS

IS GOVERNMENT STALLING? “We are amazed at the patience that nas been displayed by the N.Z.R.S.A. * n the matter of the Government’s reluctance to arrive at a decision on the question of imposing penalties on defaulters from military service by depriving them of their civil rights, states the R.S.A. “Review.” “The Government’s replies to the representations of the Association disclose that, although the Minister of National Service stated in January, 1942, that it was not the intention of the Government to make any provision to deprive defaulters of their civil rights, his reply to further representations in August, 1943, stated that these would receive the Government’s earnest consideration. “No one can reasonably accuse the Government of hasty, ill-considered action on this question. Judged by any standards, two years should enable mature consideration to be given to the matter, and a pronouncement of the Government’s intention is long overdue. “The incident of a repentant defaulter being awarded a dental bursary is too recent to allow “Review” to be satisfied with smug assurances that ‘the matter is under consideration.’ “On behalf of over 50,000 members of the N.Z.R.S.A. and the thousands of men who loyally serving their country in the three services. ‘Review’ now calls on the Government to give proof of its earnestness and to announce that all defaulters will be deprived of the civil rights they have refused to defend and that they will not be released until all men serving overseas have been rehabilitated.”