CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 228, 20 June 1919, Page 8

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

Sir—May I ask for publicity in your paper for this appeal on behalf of conscientious objectors? If there is one thing the British nation stands for preeminently among the nations of the earth it is justice for every individual, irrespective of colour, creed, or any other thing. Yet, through somo obliqueness of vision, the conscientious objectors have from the very first been denied justice in .the way the Act granting exemptions was 'administered, in the sentencing a man over and over again for the same offence, in their treatment in prison. These things are too well known to need dwelling upon, and I pass on to the crowning injustice— that .men whoso sentences expired shortly before Armistice Day, November 11, werb rearrested and condemned to two yearshard labour and less, while those whose time expired after November 11 have not been rearrested and are at liberty, thus making a date instead of the man's offence the deciding factor of the extent of his punishment. If November 11'.is potent enough to prevent one man from being punished again it should be potent enough to cut short the sentence of another man who is being punished again. I conclude this appeal for justice by saying that Germany—even Germany—has released all her conscientious objectors.— I am, etc., FRED. J. FIELD.