The Dominion. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1917. NATIONALITY AND NATURALISATION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 57, 30 November 1917, Page 4

The Dominion. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1917. NATIONALITY AND NATURALISATION

In a recent article we discussed the question of nationality. Closely allied to the subject of nationality is that of naturalisation, and here again tho law is much out of date. During the war special restrictions have been imposed, but in normal times any foreigner against whom the police- offer no objection can be naturalised, provided he can show five years' residence in the United Kingdom or (since January 1, 1915) in any part of the Empire. He then becomes entitled to all political and other rights, powers, and privileges within that part of tho Empire in which he obtains his certificato, to which a natural4>orn British subject is entitled, including the Parliamentary and the municipal vote. Naturalisation is the swearing of allegiance to a new. Sovereign. To prove this act, this solemn act, to be something more than a form, it is ' obvious that better evidence of the intending subject's sincerity is required than is afforded by such a short term of residence as five years. There is a further argument in favour of the contention that we grant rights of naturalisation far too readily. It is that when we grant naturalisation to an alien—that is to say, when wo allow him to go through the empty form (for such tho war has shown it too often was), of swearing allegiance to our King—wo take no steps to assure ourselves that this would-be Englishman has first legally disclaimed his allegiance to his former Sovereign and that such disclaimer has been validly accepted by that Sovereign. Allegiance means natural obedience, and no person, especially in times of war or preparation for war, can honestly and sincerely render that in equal measure to tho two combatant nations with which ho is so closely connected. No sane man can doubt which of the two contending nations will get the practical part of the man's allegiance. Many of those who were satisfied with tho existing law under pre-war conditions aro now moving to join hands, with those who have always felt that it was too lax. All now agree that great amendments are needed. At the conference of Associated Chambers of Commerce yesterday the subject was raised in a scries of remits which also covered tho vexed question, of the present treatment of enemy aliens. One of tho proposals adopted by tho conference was that naturalisation of enemy aliens should not bo permitted until after 20 years' uninterrupted 'residence under police registration. Tho further condition was added that the oath of allegiance should be accompanied by an oath of divestmentof allegiance to the Power of which the person has hitherto been a subject; and the production of a certificate from the Government of bis native country releasing him from all obligations and allegiance. _ A still stronger resolution was carried in the following terms: —

That no onemy subjects bo permitted to onter into Iho Dominion, and that no present enemy subject bn granted loiters of naturalisation in future.

As there was no discussion on the remits—they were adopted unanimously practically without discussion or explanation—it is not possible to say which proposal Lhe con-

ferenco really favoured. What is of more importance, however, is the evidence which the incident affords of the unanimity of opinion as tu the urgent necessity for placing our naturalisation law on such a footing as will properly safeguard the fiuturo against the dangers of alien influence working in our midst under the guiso of British citizenship. The question of course is one for tho whole Empire rather than for any separate part of it, but it is most desirable that public opinion here, as elsewhere, should be clear and emphatic concerning the lines to be followed when the time comes for definite action. To ensure- this it is necessary that the subject should have greater publicity than has been accorded it, in the past, both in and out of Parliament.