THE SEGREGATION OF AUSTRIANS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 158, 4 July 1916, Page 8

THE SEGREGATION OF AUSTRIANS.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—A short while ago Mr. Massey promised to take steps to settle the Austrian question in the North in a way that would prove satisfactory to all Britishers in the North, and consequently everybody was waiting patiently to see what "would be done. So far, the steps, taken by Mr. Massey do not give satisfaction to anybody but the Austrians, as practically all the Austrians in the Mangonui County are naturalised British subjects. It is a fact, known to everybody that they became naturalised, not because they intended to settle in the country, but because of the privilege it gave them to dig on the kauri gum reserves. So it is easily seen that sending the single non-naturalised; Austrians to Parenga affects but a few of them in the North. The Compulsion! Bill applies only to British-born subjects,] and I understand that the authorities would not accept the Austrians, even if they volunteered to eniist. Now, sir, do you consider the position in anyway fair "or just? If the war continues for some time, as no doubt it will, the married men will be compelled to go to the front and leave their wives and children at the mercy of the aliens. Some time ago a "petition, signed by over 300 residents of the far North, asking to deal with the Austrian question, was sent to Mr. Massey, and similar petitions were sent from other parts of North Auckland. As far as can be seen, no notice was taken of any of the petitions, but the other day, when a deputation of Austrians assured the Premier of their loyalty and their sympathies with Russia, Mr. Massey thanked them for their assurance. No notice is taken of the demands of the British residents of the North, whose fears of the Austrians comes from long experience in dealing with them, while the alien assurances are readily accepted as a matter of course. "Apparently the authorities think that the aliens cannot be trusted at the front amongst armed men, yet they can. according to Mr. Massey, he safely left with defenceless women and children. —I am. etc., F. BLOOMFIELD. Waiharara, 2Sth June, 1916. (To the Editor.) Sir,—After perusing the account of Government intentions re the Austrians I most emphatically state that the position of Britishers here is really worse than if the Government had not interfered at all. Transferring the single men off public works, etc, on to Parenga has the effect of placing still more of these men in a district that is already overrun with them. As a married settler and member of a family that has sent two sons to the front I state that although naturalised before the war began the Austrian on any holiday or other pretext never dreamt of flying any flag but the Austrian flag. That also, although more than equalling the eligible Britishers in numbers, in district between Waipapakauri and the North Cape the single naturalised Austrians have only contributed one soldier, whereas the Britishers have, almost without exception, and some at a great sacrifice, joined the colours. Further, in the placing of Austrians on Parenga. what is to become of the native digger there? Is he to starve after the gum has been extracted from his district? It is very easy for merchants and others living in" other districts to say that they can vouch for the loyalty of the Austrians, but I can assure you that the Britishers here feel anything hut safe with a big force of trained men in their midst and one solitary policeman to control them. I ask you. is it a fair position to place people in that have contributed so well to the Empire's call for soldiers. If the Austrians are loyal.. why not enrol them?—l am. etc., ALBERT WAGENER. Pukenui, June 20, 1916. (To the Edltor.'i Sir,—The National Government is being constantly reminded of its duty as regards internment of enemy aliens. Yet here we are being treated to a most determined effort by a certain section of the mercantile community to void the very sensible proposal to " isolate the thousands of enemy subjects who are busily exhausting one of our valuable and irreplaceable natural products. One does not need to refer to the storm of indignation which years ago greeted the introduction of Austrians to our gumfields, nor to the reasons of certain gum dealers in introducing them. The fact that they are now here, and have spread all over the north, and almost, by means of their own, securing a monopoly of the gum-production has, it appears, created a vested interest for them. That their country is at war with us is conveniently overlooked. Surely our local proAustrians must have a very poor idea of patriotism if immediately they fear their business interests may be affected they cry out so loudly. Why should they be in such a hurry to exhaust our gum supply to benefit enemy aliens? Doubtless the proceeds of our gum have paid for many guns and much ammunition, with which to pound our allies. Yes, many thousands of pounds sterling have been remitted from here to Austria since the Austrians first invaded tho north. It is said our export of gum is worth some half-a-million annually, but we arc now spending in money alone over a million monthly as our share of fighting their country—the original aggressors in this war.' Our children will have a huge legacy of debt. It is they who will have to foot an enormous war bill, and yet we are encouragin" the enemy to snatch away a portion of the assets which we should surely leave them.—l am, etc., NEW ZEALANDER.