THE OPEN DOOR

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 16018, 28 September 1917, Page 4

THE OPEN DOOR

EASY WORK FOR SPIES. 'In . view of ■ the statements in reference to the landing in the Cook Islands of a mysterious launch, manned by foreigners, some information gleaned by a Press representative this morning in reference to the possibility of anyone landing in New Zealand without tho • knowledge of the authorities takes on a more interesting aspect (says Monday's Auckland "Star"). Some time ago a New Zealander went to Australia.. -When lie arrived there the strike was in I'iill progress, and shipping was held up to such sin extent that ho was unable to get a passage back to the Dominion again in the time at his disposal. After waiting in Sydney for sonic' weeks he finally decided to tako the matter into his own hands and to work his passage across. He engaged himself as a seamaa on a cargo boat, and was told when to report. Naturally. when the nation is at war it would be supposed that a man leaving the country and departing to another would be asked to show his papers as a guarantee of his bona fides. The New Zealander in question, however, was not asked to show , any papers before leaving Australia. In view of the shortage of men'available for seagoing boats over there this did not strike him as so very peculiar, as ho fully expected to be asked to produce his papers, as he was prepared to do: when he landed in New Zealand. To lus surprise, however, lie was allowed to land without I n single question being asked him. The port of call of the boat 011 which he' was working was a small place in the 1 province of Auckland, and here he I simply • packed up his belongings and ; walked ashore. The point that occurs to him'now is that if he could walk ashore so easily, might not the same thing be. done bv anyone else, whoso purpose might bo of a very much more sinister character than that of getting back to his family?