NOTES AND COMMENTS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 237, 4 July 1944, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS

That there i>revails a very strong feeling among the returned servicemen against military defaulters was made abundantly evident when the U.S.A, conference, with only two dissentients in a vote of 188 members, resolved “that all persons adjudged military defaulters be barred from employment in Government departments or in any institution or concern maintained by the funds of the taxpayers, and be deprived of civil rights —both for 10 years from the end of the war.” This opinion from the representative body of returned servicemen should be taken seriously by the Government. It says in effect that men who have refused to share the common sacrifices and risks undertaken by others, who have lived sheltered lives in detention camps and enjoyed regular and ample meals in ■perfect security from danger, while others have faced the hardships and perils of active service campaigning under conditions far removed from the comforts of civilization, should in fairness be deprived of at least some of the privileges which the fighting men have struggled to preserve for their country. There is nothing vindictive about a demand of this kind. It touches a fundamental obligation of citizenship which the military defaulters have repudiated, namely, the duty of every able-bodied citizen to make sacrifices ami take up arms in defence of his country when the need arises, when rights and privileges, homes and families, comforts and amenities, are threatened.

Discussion of lhe suggestion put forward by the Mayor of Wellington (Mr. W. Appleton) concerning the use of vacated naval quarters in Oriental Bay as temporary accommodation for 30 families, may serve to raise again the'whole question of city properties, and public or private premises, no longer required for urgent war purposes. Two months ago the reported position in respect to city recreation areas was that 25 out of 68 playing fields remained in military hands. A City Council deputation to the Minister of Defence was informed that, whereas it would bo possible to hand back two parks, no promises could be given in respect to the remainder. The reason given was that accommodation was still required for Services personnel, but. since that time several additional military establishments, including one or two previously occupied by the American forces, have become vacant. The public may well wonder why these vacancies have not enabled the position to be relieved: and. it’ not, what use is being made of the newly-acquired premises. In view of the urgent shortage of residential accommodation, as well as the limitation imposed on public recreation facilities, the matter of Services and State requirements generally should be discussed frankly and fully with tho local authorities, in order that facilities now—or about to lie—available may be.equitably shared. The situation no longer justifies the attitude that public welfare must be considered last. Public accommodation has become a serious problem, which has an indirect but important bearing on the community war effort. As a preliminary to discussion of tho matter it. would be advantageous if much of the secrecy concerning Services establishments —particularly those of a purely residential character—were abandoned, in order that the public might assess tlie position as it stands.

According to report the general strike in the Danish capital, Copenhagen, has been ended by a compromise effected between the German commander and the municipal authorities,’ employers, trade unionists, and leaders of the various political parties on all points with the exception of the raising of the curfew and the banning of assemblies. There is some significance in the fact that the German commander has found compromise necessary. Jt emphasizes the increasing difficulties of the enemy command in maintaining its disciplinary authority in the midst of a community which has become so openly hostile to the regime, and, no doubt, will be taken by the Danish people as a sign of weakness which may be further exploited by the underground movement. The position of the enemy occupation authorities iu the various countries now under the German regime must become increasingly difficult and unenviable as Hitler’s star declines, aud the organized power of the partisans working from underground conies jiioro into the open,