ALIEN TEACHERS' BILL.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15393, 25 September 1915, Page 16

ALIEN TEACHERS' BILL.

DEPUTATION TO Ml] MASSET. (press association telegram.) "WELLINGTON, September 24. A deputation, headed by Mr Hindmarsh, M.P., and tho Hon. T. "NY. Hislop, waited on the Premier to-day in connexion with the Alien Teachers' Hill. It was urged by the .speakers that the fact that they had amongst them those who had made tho dearest sacrifices in helping to check a ruthloss foe, made them all the more eager that the Dominion should keep its record clear from chnrgcs of cruel conduct to anyone who was a peaceful and trustworthy resident. The case of Professor von Zedlitz was cited, and it was contended that the people feared a stain would fall upon New Zca-' land if what was proposed to be done was considered in New Zealand fair play. The Prime Minister, in replying said he wanted the deputation to know that there was no antagonism on the part of Cabinet or parliament towards Professor von Zedlitz but a mistake'had been made. He had been a resident in the countrv for many vears. and had not applied for naturalisation. He had acted rightly in tendering his resignation when tho war broke out, and tiu? College Council had made a mistake in not accepting it. It had been found necessary to discharge from the Public Service all unnaturalisod enemy subjects, and ii it was necessary in those eases, was it not right that the same law should apply to those paid indirectly by the Stale. The Bill would go before Parliament, and members would vote according to their ideas of what was right and wrong.