GERMAN PRISONERS

North Otago Times, Volume CIV, Issue 13773, 9 January 1917, Page 8

GERMAN PRISONERS

' 'LIVING LIKE FIGHTING COCKS.' 1 PUOrOSJiD EMPLOYMENT. ■On the occasion of ilio roc-cnt visit of the 11 "ii. W.S. D. Mac Donald to Ciishoinc he was addressed mi several important matters, including the necessity of the Government taking action to make .the Germans interned on Somes and Motuihi-Islands do something towards '-maintaining themselves .whilst- in custody. The main speaker was Mpßirrell, who remarked that the German prisoners in New Zealand wcro being fed tip. he presumed, like lighting coeks. ami look some men to look after them. Could nothing be done to utilise this labour! Aliens had offered to enlist, Could nothing lie done to utilise their services also'? The Germans were using our prisoners, and why not .do the same- here? the meeting, he went on to say, was not for the purpose of considering the interests of individuals, but. the interests of.the whole country, and lie believed the. people of leisure should give some share of l.heir lime for IheJjenetitof their conntrv.

The Minister in the course of his reply, said Hint Ibis was a matter that would be deall with directly after the holidays. The Government had realised for some time that it wis an absolute waste. Men were being kept on Somes and Motuihi Islands, and many of-the prisoners were married men, and the Government hud to maintain their wives and families as well. Some scheme would have to be evolved to utilise !his labour under the constitutional law .of the country, and Hint would be done, The prisoners themselves were prepared to go to work. Touching jiii the treatment, of the prisoners, the Minister said that we were not lighting to do what Germany had done, If we were lo carry out the same systems, the same kind of treatment of prisoners, there would be 110 reason for the war. "We are treating these prisoners as human beings should lie treated," he added. These men, if utilised, would be paid wages as prisoners of war. The enlistment of. aliens, he explained,, was a very difficult question that was' also receiving consideration.