CONTROL OF ALIENS

Grey River Argus, 18 March 1941, Page 2

CONTROL OF ALIENS

MINISTER’S BROADCAST. \ WELLINGTON, March 17. n The avodiance of publicity does not mean that the work of dealing with aliens is being prevented or retarded,” said the Attorney-General (the Hon. H. G. R. Mason), m a national broadcast address last evening. The Minister, both at the opening and conclusion of his address, emphasised the difficulty that was caused by the need to avoid publicity \in carrying out the work of dealing with aliens in New Zealand, stating that although it was in the interests of the .public to know what was being done, the safety of the State demanded that secrecy be maintained. But the public could rest assured that everything was being done to safeguard the national interest. The first step was the registration of aliens, followed by internment in special cases through action on the part of the Minister for Justice, acting in conjunction with the police Later special tribunals were set up. The result was that to-day the cases of all the 2,300 aliens in the Dominion had been investigated, and appropriate action had been taken. The number of aliens who were now interned was 80.

The Minister referred to the different types of aliens, ranging from those recommended for internment or special restrictions to those, such as old residents or British wives of foreign subjects, who were recommended for exemption. After referring to the valuable services of the members of the tribunals which were set up, who had given their services voluntarily, the Minister quoted the remarks of Mr. Justice Callan in dealing with aliens, mentioning his reference to the three classes of enemy aliens. The first was that of Germans and Italians who had never made their home in New Zealand but had come for business reasons; the second was that of Ger-

mans and Italians who had made their home in New Zealand but had come for business reasons; the second was that of Germans and Italians who had made their home in the Dominion to better their economic condition; the third was that of the recent refugees, mainly, though not exclusively, consisting of Jewish people. . =*■ The Minister said that every case had been considered by expert inves-

tigators. If any member of the public knew of an enemy alien it was certain that the authorities knew of him, too. If an alien wa's seen enjoying his freedom it could be assumed that it was considered safe that he should do so in the present ■ circumstances. The Government had i striven' and was striving to make [ the. country as safe as vigilance could | make i.t It would not let down its soldiers and sailors.