AN INQUISITIVE MEMBER

QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE

AND MINISTERS' REPLIES

Mr. J. Payne asks questions about people with names that look like German names every day in the House of Representatives. The following budget received Ministerial replies yesterday:—

Mr. Payne asked the Prime Minister whether he had seen the following announcement: "George Nash Milk Distributing Company (Limited). Registered as a, private company, March It). Office: 61 Molesworth Street, Wellington. Capital: ,£BOO, divided into 3200 shares of ss. each. Subscribers: Wellington—G. Nash, 1600; C. A. Schauer, 1600. Objects: To acquire as a going concern the business of retail milk-vendors carried on at Wellington by George Nash and Carl A. Shauer, in co-partnership, under the firm of Nash and Co."; and, if so, did he think it desirable that a German should be concerned in the handling of a foodstuff like milk, seeing the opportunities such a commodity affords for spreading disease?

The Right Hon. W. F. Masse.y (Primo minister) replied: Reports furnished to the Government as a result of inquiries made regarding. Carl A. Schauer, show that Sliauer was born in Bendigo, Victoria, on December 14, 1873. His mother, who resides in the Dominion, is a native of County Clare, Irelund. His father, who died at Bendigo in 18S1, came to Australia from his birthplace, Stettin, Germany, when fourteen years of age. Carl A. Schauer came to New Zealand ill 189-1, and has ; followed since different occupations. He was for some years m tho Public Health Department, and for somo time he was the licensee of a hotel in the City of Wellington. He is a highly respected member of tho community. Mr. Payne asked tho Minister of Defence whether it was true that Lieutenant Kruse, of Havelock, liawke's Bay, was going away with the 13th Reinforcement, and who was stated to be a German bybirth and was pro-German in his utterances?

The Hon. J. Allen (Minister of Defence) replied: There is no officer in the Defence Forces by the name of Lieutenant Ivriise. There is, however, Sergeant James Joseph William Kruse, who is presumably the man referred to. This man is a native of Now Zealand, and hia father was a German, lint naturalised. Full inquiries have been made regarding Kruse, and reports from nil who have known him are most favourable, and all consider that he is a fit and proper person to go with Ihe New Zealand "Expeditionary Force. ' He has not held a com. mission and did not sit for examination for appointment to .commissioned rank since he has been in camp. Statements jwve been obtained from Mr. H. Camp, bell and Mr. Hart, the Mayor of Hast, ings. Mr Campbell states {hat "I. have known Mr. Kruse for some years, and as far as I knew he was of German Dar. entage,' but I have.never heard of . him using any pro-German utterances, and from my personal observation I have always found him to bo a good citizen." M. r -, Hart, Mayor of Hastings, states: I have known Mr. Kruso for about three years. I have always found him patrio. tic in his utterances. I cannot say an. thoritativelv that ho was of German parentage, but I have always understood Irom chats I have had with him 011 the bowling green that his parents were German. I have always known that he was born 111 New Zealand." 111 auothw question Mr. Payne asked tho Minister of Defence: Whether it is truo that one Schoch is to leave with the 14th iveintorcement, and who is said to 1 "f,? or >' ,sw»«ant? It is reported, ho added, that his mother is German, and she is stated to have said that Germany would win, and that as soon as we Ltd sent all our men from here it would be quito easy lor Germany to take New Zealand. ahe member for Grey Lynn is iti- . tcMM ' ac ' y whom the mother oi L,chooh said these words has signed u written sratemont of tho fact and has hwided the same to tho. police. lhe Hon. J. Allen replied: Sergt W h,' q wlU c ] ® ave New Zealand with of the 14t'h Reinforcements.' ihis is the only man by the name of bchock now in camp with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. He is not of alien enemy descent; his late father was a bwiss and his mother is of English birth and parentage. It is true the police took a signed statement from' a member of the Anti-German League in which it is alleged that Mrs. Schoch made tho remarks as mentioned in tho note. It is, however, to be recorded that ono statement made, and which referred to an occasion when there was a witness present, was denied by the witness, who said she could not lemember any of the remarts alleged to have been made by Mrs bchocli, and a statement was also signed by her to this effect.

Mr. Payne also asked the Minister it Hofence: hether he will answer the following received by him by wire:- . Aot endorsing everything you say I am in sympathy .. with regard to the alien question I would like to ask a question of Hie Hon Allen with regard to line, weber family in Wanganui, and ask him Jl- hrJ 08 ? ab °ut, the. matter.— (Signed) W. Ritchie"? '

Tile Hon. J. Allen replied: Full inquiries have been . made regarding tho Lmeweber family, of Wanganui, and no action was considered necessary. It mav however, be noted that Mr. Eitchie's son; m-law is a Lincweber.

■ , Mr - ? A r" e * s next question to the JfinIf : ®f <° f ? e x?° t wns: °> Is i 1: a ' fact tha.t Captain Hotop, now m our Forces has a sister married to an officer in tho German Army? (2) Has Captain Hotoo a. cousin in our forces? (3) Is Captain Hotops father a German:and a chemist at Quecnstown ? (4) Is Captain Hotop's lulcgcd uor id an father ft Coroner rcccivins: Government pay? 'Tho Hon. J. Allen replied: (1) Captain Hotop has a sister married to a German, He was a civilian when war broke'out! tut it is not known whether ho is now in tho German forces. He had been trained in the German Navv, but was not an officer. (2) Captain Hotop has a cousin in tho New Zealand Expeditionary l'orces. His name is AVilbert L. Hotop He left New Zealand with the Ota»o Mounted Riiles, Slain Bodv. He was severely wounded at Gallipoli on August 21, 1915. ..He was admitted to hospital in England on September 23, 1915, and, so far as is known, is still there. (3) Captain ■ Hotop's father is a German by birth, but was naturalised in New Zealand on May 21, 3870, He had previously been naturalised in Australia in 1866. Ho was but fourteen years of age when he arrived there. Ho is a chemist at Queenstown. (4) Captain Hotop's father is a Coroner, and receives fees for his duties in accordance with an Ordor-in-Council.

Tho Minister of Defence was also aslred by Mr. Fnyne, whether it is true that tho Government imported a German named Volman somo time ago, and whether Kiis is 'the man now at Bothnia under tho name of Captaiu A. H. Brown? The Hou. J. Allen replied: There is no captain at Botorna by the name of A. 11, Brown. The Government imported an officcr from England J>y the name of H. H. Browne, who is liow a major. The following is his military history relative to campaigns: South African War, 1877-"8-79 (Gcaleka and Gaika campaignn, second attack 011 Morosis Mountain and capture of stronghold), medal with clasp> operations in Tembuland and Basutaland, 1880-81, inerfal with two clasps; South African War, 1901 (operations iu Trims, vaal, Orange Free State, and Cape Colony, 1901), Queen':) medal with three clasps. Major Browno is well known to bb of purely English descent. He lias never been known as Volman.

Mr. Payne's final question wan ntMressod to the Minister of Railways, who was asked whether there is a 'man employed at the Newmarket Workshops.by l.lie name of Hans Itappe who was born in Germany and who served his time in Krupp's; and, if so, does he approve of this Qc-rman being retained in a Government billetf

The lion. W. H. Herries replied: Haii3 llappe vrns bom in Germany. L under' stand that lie served his time at Krupp's. lie a naturalised British subject at the time lie joined the Railway Department in 1900. He is marries, and his wife is a colonial of English parentage. His work and conduct liapu always been satisfactory, and his loyalty to his adopted country has not liitnerto been ques. tloned. The Department has 110 reason to suspect anything. wrong, and if any reason arises to dfubt 11.13 loyalty his case will bo referred to tlio Aliens Board.