LEAVE FOR DEFAULTERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25134, 27 January 1943, Page 4

LEAVE FOR DEFAULTERS

Sir,—A true word is written by “ Ist N.Z.E.F.” when he says that I have “ come into contact with a different type of (returned) men from those he knows. The attitude of the men I have met is well expressed by “ Tolerance,” a member of the armed forces serving in New Zealand, when, in protesting against the attitude of “ Ist N.Z.E.F.,” he remarks that he " appears to lack that fine quality of tolerance which is one object for which we are fighting to-day.” In many respects this is a war of ideals, and victory tor the Allies will bring with it the responsibility of seeing that the ideals of democracy and tolerance are upheld. To deny, these things now is disloyalty. In replying to the statement of your correspondent, R. B. Martyn, that his attitude was undemocratic, “ Ist N.Z.E.F.” says,' “ Loyalty comes first with me.” Whatever does he mean by that? Surely it is misguided loyalty that would deny some of the finest things that his nation stands for and for which it is pouring out its life’s blood. Too much shallow thinking takes shelter behind the word “ loyalty.” The loyalty that counts is the kind that is calculated to build the finest virtues into the life of one’s country and nation. Wars come and go, but the values necessary to the maintenance and development of worthy social and national life must be maintained always. The importance of this matter lies not merely in the question of a defaulter being allowed to attend his mother’s funeral, but rather in the question whether or not we are going to stand by the principles of democracy and of Christian tolerance which have been characteristics of the British Empire in the past and upon which the future strength of the Allies and of tneir contribution to the life of the world depends.—l am. etc., Adelphos. January 26.