ENEMY ALIENS IN NEW ZEALAND.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 54, 4 March 1918, Page 3

ENEMY ALIENS IN NEW ZEALAND.

A deputation of Napier business mer waited upqn the Hon. T. M. Wilford, Minister for Justice, in regard to the treatment of enemy aliens in New Zealand. Mr Wilford replied as follows : 'Regarding the aggregation of land by aliens and others, I am in charge of the Department concerned, and I havecalled for reports from all branches concerning the land dealings that have taken place, and in the course of_ a week' or ten days I will make it public. "I am not going to take anything on my shoulders regarding men under German names in business, but they cannot trade with the enemy now. I know nothing of the Cabinet's action in connection with the Denaturalisation Bill introduced by Mr Brown. You ask why should not' the sons of " Germans who have been called up be made" to work at soldiers' rate=> of pay? You have to think of the Allies' cause. That is what Germany is doing with the Belgians. We say it is unjust, and can we say that if we make them work. The same thin;/ is happening in France, where the Germans are making the girls work for about Is 8d t>er day. We must not be parochial. It is a detestable position, but we must think over it. You ask "why all the Germans aTe not interned. As Boon as I got to Cabinet I asked that, and X was shown the despatch saying we were not to do so. I would- love to see them all interned." He continued : "Internment of enemy subjects is an international matter, and the New Zealand Government considers it to be its dutv to give effect loyally to the requests of the Imperial Govern- ; mant", which has required us to intern all enemy reservists and enemy subjects suspected of being dangerous. been done as far as we know If any reservist has been missed, fend me the proof, and the National Government will immediately intern him. We have also provided police supervision of those < en emv subjects believed to he harmless. His Majesty's Government has instructed us that care should be taken not to arrest persons whose known characters preclude suwicion or who can, be personally vouched for to the satisfaction of the Government. These are the British Government's instructions. Are we to obey them or to refuse to obey ; them? I believe no matter what our pri- ' vate opinions are, we should obey f Minister continued that while he could not understand such a policy,, he ■ personally thought that it had been decided on by the Allies for the proteci tion of our own people in enemy terriI tory, and more particularly for the protection of the subjects of our Allies, ■ against whom the enemy would- un- , doubtedly take reciprocal action. He i would make representations to the Cabi- : net concerning questions he could not | answer.