Description

1943 (Jun 25) Plain envelope together with letter to a Conscientious Objector, Mess 3, Paiaka Camp, Shannon bearing 2d tied faint Nelson machine date stamp with both letter & envelope showing unframed Censored /No /4 hand stamp in violet …………The NZ authorities introduced Conscription in July 1940…Certain categories of individuals objected & out of 3000 appeals heard only 600 were granted leaving 2400 objectors with most of those turned down giving in to the law & serving as required. However 803 refused to comply & were detained. New Zealand’s treatment of these objectors was notably punative and harsh & they were placed in various Military defaulters Camps. NZ apparently had in all 13 Camps & Sub Camps to house these 803 individuals interned for an indefinate period while war lasted. By March 1944, 69 military defaulters had accepted Military Service, 68 were sent to Prison for the duration of the war & a further 66 had been sent to prison for a set duration leaving only 610 in the Camps. The treatment by NZ was such that by December 1945 more than 200 military defaulters were still being held……Mail to or from any of these Military Defaulters is very scarce