CORRESPONDENCE

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 22, 26 July 1945, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE

"OVERSEAS" T!M^

(To the Editor.)

Sir,— May I ask through your paper what the' Government intends to do with our men overseas at present who have given five years' or more service. There are men who at the outbreak, of war volunteered—men with three children and more, whose wives have, had to live alone with those children, who have now got to the age when they need their father. The Government asks that we have children, then it takes the fathers away. Some men served four years here in New Zealand, not by their own wish, but they were kept here and had to do as they were told. When they went overseas they faced death and saw their pals killed and maimed, and it appears those who were lucky have to go on again, while men here", some in Government jobs, and otherwise, some making big money, can still sit back, while our sons have to go again. Then there are men in the Navy and Air Force who have given long years' service and are being sent overseas for a second time, while others can get out. Some conscientious objectors are being let out of camp to sit back with others in good jobs. These men could have been put on the land if they didn't want to fight. ' I would like to ask why we have an appeal board. When a wife asks for the return of her husband she is told that nothing can be done at present, and so it goes on. I understand we have thousands of eligible single men in this country at the present time.—l am, j 6tC<' GRANDMA. Sir,—ln fairness to the present Administration, "Fair Play's" statement regarding "the men who signed on for the duration of the war with Germany only" is incorrect. We signed on to fight the King's enemies anywhere for the duration and 12 months thereafter. My own signing on led to a P.O.W. pen, but if required I am still prepared to honour what I attested to in 1939. —I am, etc., EX-KRIEGIE.