BARBARISM & MURDER

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2458, 11 May 1915, Page 7

BARBARISM & MURDER

EMPHATIC PROTEST BY N.Z; PATRIOTIC SOCIETY 'At the commencement of last night's 'meeting of the executive of the Patriotic Society, the chairman (Mr. H. G. Hill) referred to the sinking of R.M.S. Lnsitania, describing it as tho latest dastardly act committed '.by Germany. He thought everyone's mind revolted at Buch a crime, and without further commenting thereon, he desired to move the following resolution:— "That this meeting of the executive of the Wellington Branch of the New Zealand Patriotic Society enters its emphatic protest against the latest act of barbarism and murder committed by Germany in the sinking of the Lu3itania, and pledges itself as a sooiety and as individuals to render whatever service is in its or their power to bring about the punishment of the perpetrators of such hellish crimes." Mr. L. 0. H. Tripp seconded the resolution, which was carried uualii mously, without further discussion. Enemy Subjects at Large. Mr. Hill had proposed to add to the resolution the following words.— "Further, we are of opinion that the time has arrived when Germans and Austrians at present enjoying their liberty, and in some oases occupying good positions in the Public Service, should be immediately interned and held as prisoners of war." "There might," said Mr. Hill, /'be some controversy as to this latter portion of the resolution, but he thought that the time had arrived when those Germans calling themselves naturalised subjects should at least be put away from temptation." • ; Mr. Tripp said he would like to see the wording altered slightly to read all "Germans and Austrians not naturalised." He gave some reasons for this, but asked' that they should not be published. "Maudlin Sentiment." Mr, Hill considered it would be better then to deal with this latter portion- as a separate motion. He felt that it was a controversial matter, .but he proposed to move it as it stood. Cases had'been brought to his notice of naturalised Germans (in some cases drawing Government pensions) having expressed sentiments absolutely opposed to British fair play. ' He personally thought the time had gone when such maudlin sentiments as had been used in referring to these cases should be put a stop to. ' Ho'did not think it right to allow enemy subjects to hold prominent positions such as some were occupying in the Public Servico to-day. Mr. Tripp moved as an amendment that the words "not naturalised" should bo inserted after the word Austrians. , A' Lop-sided Contract. Mr. A. 0. Leach pointed out that ?t did not appear to ge generally understood that naturalisation papers implied a oontract on our side but practically no contract on the side of a naturalised' German, who was considered a German subject liable to render military service until he received an« other set of papers from Berlin, After some further discussion, Mr. Tripp, on" the suggestion of. Mr. S. Kirkcaldie, made a further amendment by adding to the resolution a recommendation that the Government scrutinise the conduct of all naturalised subjects. The resolution was finally carxied in the following form:— "We are of opinion that the time lhas arrived when Germans and Austrians not naturalised, at present enjoying their, liberty, and in some cases occupying good positions in the Public Service, shouW, be immediately interned and held as prisoners of war, and that the Government be asked to carefully scrutinise the conduct of'all naturalised enemy subjects." WANGANUI RESOLUTION. (By TelesraDii— Pre?e Association.* Wanganul, May 10. 'At a meeting of the Chamber of Cqm- ■ merce to-night the following resolution was carried:—"This meeting of Wanganui citizens ' expresses- horror at the latest German outrage, and while recording sympathy with the relatives of the bereaved 'irges the adoption of reprisals to prevent a recurrence of such barbarities." A copy of the resolution is. being forwarded to the Prime Minister. • ■■