UNJUSTIFIABLE DECISION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25866, 9 June 1945, Page 6

UNJUSTIFIABLE DECISION

VIEWS OF RETURNED MEN (P.A.) WANGANUI, June 8. “This association, representing those who fought for this country during two major wars within a quarter of a century is most dismayed at the recent decision of the Government in connection with military defaulters,” states a telegram sent by the Waverley branch of the New Zealand Returned Services’ Association to the Acting Prime Minister, Mr Nash. “First, we feel that these men in refusing to protect New Zealand from an enemy even more barbaric and ruthless than our enemies in the last war should not be better treated than defaulters were then. “Secondly, to exclude the press and the public from the inquiries into defaulters’ cases is unjustifiable and most meet with widespread opposition from the people of this country. “Thirdly, we consider that it is unfair to give a retrial tip these men, who have already been adjudged not genuine in their objections, when others who have gone overseas in obedience to the decision of the tribunal have even died in the service of their fel-low-men. “In conclusion this association calls on the Government to bring into effect the wish of the people, that these lawbreakers, whose cases ’have all been heard by properly-constituted tribunals, should be retained in detention camps until all the servicemen have returned and been rehabilitated and that they be excluded from the public service and deprived of their civil rights for 10 years.”