ARMY DEFAULTERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24103, 23 October 1941, Page 8

ARMY DEFAULTERS

SUGGESTED PENALTIES [BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION'] DUNEDIX, Wednesday A series of resolutions setting out the chamber's attitude to conscientious objectors and military defaulters was adopted by the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, and will bo forwarded to the Associated Chambers with a request that they be placed before the .Minister of National Service, the Hon. 11. Semple. In the main the resolutions followed the usual lines except that among the penal provisions was one suggesting that defaulters should be deprived for all time of their civil rights and also of any benefits they might obtain under the social security legislation. There was some difference of opinion on this clause, but an amendment proposing a limit of 10 years for the loss of civil rights and deletion of tho reference to social security benefits was defeated, and the clause retained.

The mover of the amendment, Mr. H. Miller, said there should be a limit to all penalties. They should aim at a penalty and not a lifetime revenge. Mr. J. B. Stewart, who opposed the amendment, said if they agreed to it they would be condoning the defaulters in the offence.

Mr. J. S. Skinner said any man who shirked his responsibilities while his comrades were fighting for tho Empire in a life and death struggle should be made to pay the penalty.