Conscientious Objector
Sts,—Janus's comments on the case of the Z Reservist who had become a conscientious objector prompts me to write about the Supplementary Reservist (the ex-National Service man) in a similar position. He is not allowed in the first place to appeal to a tribunal, but is simply arrested as a common deserter, kept in close detention and then court-martialled. Only after he has been sentenced to at least three months has he the right to appeal to a tribunal. This is a shock- ing anomaly which ought to be got rid of at "once. It means that you punish a man first and then find out afterwards whether he deserved it or not—quite contrary to elementary justice.
A young man in whom I am interested is in prison at this moment as a result of the senseless procedure I have described. He is an intelligent lad of good character, a university graduate; and I am convinced of his sincerity. Surely our prisons are full enough with those of the baser sort without adding a single one who ought not
to be there.—Yours faithfully, PENDRIL BENTALL. 543 Crookesnioor Road, Sheffield, 10.
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