MILITARY SHIRKERS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 25, 25 October 1920, Page 4

MILITARY SHIRKERS

PROTEST AGAINST GOVERNMENT'S DECISION. The Prime Minister recently inade a statement to th/s effect that Cabinet had decided that there shall be no more proSiCutions of conscientious objectors or defaulters. This matter was discussed by the executive of the Wellington Re'tiirned Soldiers' Association at its Jast meeting, and the following letter Ims been forwarded .to headquarters of the N.Z.R.S.A. by Mr, R, J. F. Aldrich . sccletary);— "It is thfe defined policy of the N.Z. E.S.A; that all military defaulters should be made to serve their full sentence as defined by tho laws of the Dominion, and my ectecutive is much concerned about a statement made recently 'by the Prime Minister that Cabinet has decided that tlifcre shall be no mofl> prosecutions .of conscientious objectors or defaulters. It would appear that wo have no option in the matter except to protest most emphatically against what, in our opinion, is supineness on the part of the Government, and it is a matter for alarm that these shirkers may gvontuajly endeavour to regain their political rights. In our opinion, these* men are a menace to the community, and' it is earnestly hopi'd that tlfc Government, in its goodness of heart, will have sufficient courage to withstand any attempt made in this dirtectipn. My executive) . respectfully asks that th'« protest of the Wellington R-.S.A. may be forwarded Prune Minister as soon as possible."