Defaulters’ Camps

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 290, 5 September 1942, Page 8

Defaulters’ Camps

Sir, —May I be permitted to supplement the remarks of “Awaken Now” regarding military defaulters? It is common knowledge that New Zealand farmers are at their wits’ end to solve the difficulties brought about by the present manpower shortage. I would like to quote a concrete example of the gross stupidity of detention camps maintained at our expense. I know for a fact that in the Shannon district on a farm of forty acres carrying thirty-five cows, of which, twenty are in milk, no less than nine inmates and two guards are engaged while the adjoining farm carrying one hundred cows is run by one man and his wife, who of necessity is forced from her legitimate position in the home to assist in the shed.

I ask you, is this a fair go to our farming community? How far has this sort of thing to go before our newspaper editors commence to give space to public opinion? Ministers call for more production from the people who are supporting seven hundred idle men -who could well be employed assisting in industry, on a. system of parole, under stringent conditions and drastic financial punishment. New Zealand’s war effort should and must be our first consideration, and if anyone can tell me that seven hundred men wasting time and public money on useless work is consistent -with a maximum war effort I would be pleased to hear him. —I am, etc., ALREADY AWAKE. Wellington, September 4.

Sir, —Those correspondents who allege that it costs £2BOO to maintain 700 defaulters in detention camps are apparently airing their guess-work views on a subject of which they know nothing. On the basis of their argument it costs £4 a man weekly. By this time the camps will be growing their own vegetables; the clothing issue a man must be very meagre, otherwise why are defaulters advised to take plenty of their own clothing with them? Finally, the rate of pay is sixpence to one shilling daily. The latter is paid after the defaulter has been •in camp for some time and has established that he is well-behaved. Where does the average of £4 weekly come in now? It was ridiculous of “Utility” suggesting that defaulters be put into industry at their present pay, specially as he does not 'know the rate. If he does know the rate, he is hardly a good democrat Personally, I think people who are ashamed ,to allow the use of their names are mere busybodies.—l am, etc., C. TUTTY. Lower Hutt, September 3.