CORRESPONDENCE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 148, 24 June 1915, Page 4

CORRESPONDENCE

4p THE POSITION OP PROFESSOR YON 25EDLITZ TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — I am greatly reluctant to discuss publicly the position of a Professor under whom 1 sat, and whom I greatly respect. I have no special mandate for so doing, but I feel that perhaps an exstudent's vie\ys might be, of value, if only to correct mistaken ideas on the effect of the Professor's teaching. I trust he will pardon the liberty I take. In reply to Mr. Hill's remarks in your issue ot the 21st inst., might 1 state : — (1) I do not admit Mr. Hill's claim to speak "on behalf of the citizens of New Zealand." Perhaps this was a misprint. (2) The Victoria University College isnot "a, subsidised Government institution," but is an institution subsidised by the Government. The College Council, I believe, has Parliamentary representatives on it, but is independent of Government control ; the council alone controls the staff. (3) 1 believe the reason the Professor is not naturalised is one totally unconnected with patriotic support of Germany. I object to the sneer contained in Mr. Hill's question re naturalisation ; it ill becomes anyone to sneer at a man's beliefs. . (4) For six years I attended Victoria University College, during which term 1 took lectures on the German language and its literature. Professor yon Zedlitz has been Professor of Modern Languages since the foundation of the college, and some thousand students -must have sat under him. During the eight years since 1 began attending the college, I have not encountered any suggestion whatever of anti-British teachings or opinions on his part, and I think it fairly probable that had any such been commonly, known 1 would not have been ignorant of them. (5) Absolutely no charge of disloyalty has been brought against the Professor ; on the contrary, nothing has been said against him personally, and those who know him hold him in great esteem. It is proposed that 'he should be the victim of an application of "principle." Might I suggest that there is material for long consideration in the refraining of the British Government, and, by their advice, of colonial Governments, from indiscriminate internment? The traditional British policy of proof before con viction and the reputation, of the British Empire as a refuge for the oppressed make one chary of such an indiscriminate application of "principle" — a process that leads to the legalism of the Pharisees. The British method of administration, so it seems to me, is to take ea-ch case on its merits. That may be more difficult, but it is British, and fair. In this case, prqminent citizens, who know the facts and are , responsible in the matter, have stated that they hold the Professor in the highest respect for his integrity and broadmindedness ; further, the Professdr is English in education and in his connections, and there is no charge whatever against him. Sufficient measures (to many they seem more than sufficient) ha.ye already been, taken to safeguard against any possible public danger. I think we might, even in the stress of war and pain of sacrifice, give a man of integrity and honour his due and refrain from . stigmatising him by, internment. — I am, etc., , P. BURBIDGE. • Wellington, 22nd June. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — Being a constant reader of your organ for good and -justice to the people, it has been with considerable interest thai I have followed the controversy in your columns regarding the above-men-tioned hapless gentleman, who verily needs- saving from .his friends. Until perusing your sub-leader on ,the method taken by our local Patriotic Society to ventilate the matter and the beautiful "red herring" of "8.8.'5" pen in this evening's issue, methought the right thing would be done by the Victoria College authorities, and the worthy professor requested to resign. Dealing with "8.8.'5" strong appeal, might I ask what matters it that " my father drew a long bow at Hastings." Let "B.B." and others of his kind, personal friends of the unfortunate gentleman, and the College Council presumably, dispassionately review the whole position, and try to imagine it the case of a poor German sailor in a similar predicament, and ask . themselves where ' would he be long before this. Somes Island, would not hold vacant quarters awaiting his coming for long, 1 guess. Is it not a fact, sir, that our learned professor was a British-born subject^ but for certain personal gains chose to become a naturalised German subject? If this be so, surely where the interest lies, there, at any rate to some extent, must the heart lie also. (It is not a fact. — Ed.) Sympathy is a noble attribute of the human, without a doubt, but misapplied sympathy is apt to turn to gall, as 1 dare say some of those benevolent citizens experienced who generously repaired the shattered windows of the honourable German gentleman who Avould do no harm. < Your suggestion that the Mayor might call a public meeting, I am afraid, is a most unwise one. It is rather untimely for gatherings of this kind, and one never knows but that a spirit of wanton destruction might be aroused. There is a Special Commission set up to deal with alien matters, and it seems to be their place to act, and act promptly, and, moreover, not behind closed doors. Should nothing be done to clear \ip the distressing position that has arisen, let the Patriotic Society formulate a petition to Parliament. I warrant it will not be wanting in signatories. Apologising for una voidable prolixity, — I am, etc., NO SURRENDER. Wellington, 22nd June.