All Italian Aliens in Dominion Released

Northern Advocate, 14 March 1944, Page 4

All Italian Aliens in Dominion Released

(P.A.) . WELLINGTON, This Day. The 27 Italian civilians who were internees in New Zealand when Italy surrendered, have been released to undertake work under direction of the National Service Department. The procedure and safeguards adopted were explained today by the Minister in Charge of Aliens (Hon. W. Perry) “Some time after the capitulation of Italy and the subsequent acceptance oi' Italy as a co-belligerent the question of making available Italian internees for useful work was given consideration by the War Cabinet," Mr. Perry said. “The matter was referred by me for consideration to the Aliens A.ppeal Tribunal, which reported last December that it had perused all files and had sought information of the police, naval intelligence and the army security tribunal. It had also interviewed each of the Italians and recommended release of all of them subject to the condition that they should be required to do work of national importance at such places and under such conditions as directed by the National Service Department, and that they should all remain subject to control by the police and under obligation to report as the Commissioner of Police directed.

Directed to Employment

“The internees were all released on January 8 and directed to work. In the event of any one of them refusing to accept work or, in any other way, breaking the conditions of release,' he would be liable to immediate reinternment. Furthermore, even although now entitled to be treated as nationals of a friendly and Allied power, they will be liable for reinternment or other restrictions in the event of any immediate threat to New Zealand or development of any other dangerous circumstances. All have accepted the work to which they were directed.’’ Mr. Perry added that the work the men were doing included tomato growing, vegetable growing, fishing, building and allied trades.