CONTROL OF ALIENS.

North Otago Times, Volume CVI, Issue 13975, 12 September 1917, Page 3

CONTROL OF ALIENS.

COMPULSORY REGISTRATION ENACTED. INTERNMENT ADVOCATED. (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, 'September 11.' In the House this evening, the Hon. G. W. Russell moved the. second reading of the Registration of Aliens Bill. The Minister stated that it-was proposed to set up a system 'of registration of aliens. An alien was defined as a person of either sex, not less than fifteen years of age, who was not a- British subject cither by birth or by 'natural; isntion in New Zealand. The Act would be administered by a Minister of the Crown, aided by the police force. He explained' the machinery clauses, penalties for evasions, and provision for making regulations under the Act, The Minister quoted'.figures from the 11)11 census showing the aliens at present resident in' New Zealand were:—

Austrian .... ...... sj:U German Empire .. .. .." 4015 ,Denmark ".. ~ 2202 Chinese (approximate) . 2011 Other foreigners ~ .. 8552 Total '.. .. 10,571 Mr C. H. Poole supported the Bill, and hoped there would be no weakness in the administration of the measure. Dr Newman thought the Bill did not go far enough. Every alien should he interned, or made to work, They certainly should not be allowed to participate' in the Liberty War Loan when they refused to subscribe to patriotic funds. Mr G, V. Pearco, Mr W. A. Harris, and Mr J. Vigor Brown supported the Bill, but agreed that it did not go far enough.

Mr Vernon Keid contended that naturalised aliens should be brought within the scope of tho Bill, ' The Hon, Sir James Allen explained that there was no power to conscript Dalmatians hi North Auckland, and the power could not be taken. The. Government had endeavoured to attach them to the Serbian Army, but the men refused 1 to go except at New Zealand"* rate of pay, which could not be given them. It would be a mistake to intern these people, because many of them were engaged in producing food for the P>'ininion,

Mr George Witty,' Mr J, A, Young, Br. Thacker, and Mr It, A. Wright commented on the cost of keeping tho German prisoners in the Dominion, who were receiving better treatment than our own people. They ought to ba made to work or drummed out of the countrv.

The Hon, G, W, Russell, in (lip course of his reply, said that undue severity on our part to the German prisoners might lead to retaliation against British prisoners in German hands, The Government had been advised to take the greatest nare in this respect, i The Bill was read a second time on | the voices, The House rose at 11,30 p.m.