Authority and equality: New Zealand at war and the 1943 furlough draft scheme

Abstract

In 1943 the New Zealand Government initiated what became known as Furlough Draft Scheme. This brought back 6000 men of the 2nd New Zealand Division from the Middle East for three months leave. These men were all volunteers from the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Echelons which had left New Zealand in 1940. Upon their return the men found New Zealand to be a very different place than the one they had left. Although the threat of Japanese invasion was now receding the exigencies of war had seen the social, military and industrial mobilisation of the entire population as well as the influx of a large number of American troops. After an initial enthusiastic welcome the furlough men gradually became disillusioned with what they perceived to be an apathetic society. Resentment over the belief that there was no equality of sacrifice grew to such an extent that eventually over 600 men would refuse to go back at the end of their period of furlough. By utilising the 1943 furlough strike this thesis examines the issues of military and political responsibility and demonstrates how the growth of authoritarianism clashed with the perceptions of equality and fairness.