War Regulations.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15766, 6 December 1916, Page 6

War Regulations.

Some new war regulations of a fairly comprehensive and drastic character have now been gazetted, and are published in another part of this issue. They will enable the Government to deal with persons who excitp opposition to the enforcement or administration of the law? relative to compulsory military training or service, or who attempt to encourage sedition or disloyalty in almost any shape or form- It is made a punishable offence, for example, to "'interfere with the ir.anu- " facture, output, supply, delivery, or "carriage of any goods or niticlcs " required by his Majesty, whether in " New Zealand or elsewhere, for any " purpose in connexion with the pre- " sent war," or to "interfere with the " loading, unloading, manning, equip- " ment, despatch, or use of any vessel " car trine or about to carry from Xaw

" Zealand any of his Majesty's forces •' or any goods or merchandise belong- " ing to or destined for or required by " his Majesty, whether in New Zea- " land or e'sewhere, for any purpose "in connexion with the present war. ' In a sentence, the Government now have power to deal effectively with any 'attempt to do the dirtr work of our enemies, no matter what pretext may be nut forward to hide the real object of traitors in our midst. There are also some very useful provisions for the deportation of "undesirables." or prohibiting their landing in New Zealand. Having the,se ]>owers. we hope the Government will not hesitate to use them with firmness and vigour directly occasion arises, even if it involves tho arrest, and bringing to trial of a Member of Parliament. In fact, the more prominent the position of the offender, the more necessary it i« that he should be promptly brought to book.