EXAMINATION OF ALIENS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 225, 21 August 1940, Page 2

EXAMINATION OF ALIENS.

TRIBUNAL’S FUNCTION. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Aug. 20. Outlining the procedure , of the Aliens ’Tribunal, Hon. H. G. 11. Mason, said that the tribunal governed its own procedure. From the confidential nature of some of the information it was manifestly impossible that the procedure should -be siniilai: to that of an ordinary Court', but the personnel of the tribunal—Mr Justice Callan/Mr Claude Weston, K.C., and Mr J. H. Collins—-was a guarantee that those who came before it would be given a full opportunity to negative any statement or suggestion to their disadvantage that might have been made against them* and that thoroughness in protecting the public interest would be accompanied by fairness. In ordinary Court proceedings, said Mr Mason, it often happened that in the brief report that could he given in a newspaper a true evaluation of all the circumstances could not bo given, and the justice of the .judgment might he less convincing to the reader than to those who heard the case in Court. The tribunal had before it not only the story of rumours or suspicion and any explanation given by the alien, but also much other information, constituting in all a sound basis from which judgment might be drawn.

Hie Minister quoted as an instance by which the public might easily he misled that of the accused who a fortnight ago was convicted of endeavouring to send a letter to Australia in such a manner as to evade the censorship. When the case appeared in Court the police officer who prosecuted said the letter was one which, in the public interest, could not bo read' in Court. This statement, although undoubtedly correct, cave a wrong impression to those who read the newspaper report. The statement had no reference to anything which might cause disquiet in relation to the war. The police officer was merely referring to the language used, . which, to put the -matter mildly, had a freedoin and expressiveness not suited to polite society and of a sort which in Court it was usual to avoid reading aloud. The young man accused was an Australian by birth, though classified as an alien because of his parentage, and the letter was one to his father relating to nothing but his own business. Although there was a defiance of the regulations well meriting a sharp penalty, a complete examination of his ease showed that, whatever else might be said or thought of him, there was no indication or sympathy with or desire to assist the enemy. Arrangements bad been made for him to return immediately to Australia, but the case illustrated the need for caution in jumping to conclusions.