PRISONERS OF AVAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15687, 14 August 1914, Page 7

PRISONERS OF AVAR.

ARREST OF GERMANS.

DETENTION ON ISLAND.

SOME GRANTED PAROLE.

>Y TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington*, Thursday.

Up to the present about 100 Germans have been arrested- in various parte of tho Dominion and brought to Wellington. They have boen taken to Somes Island, whero thoy are boing detained as prisoners of war. Prior to being taken to tho island they were informed by the authorities that if they so desired thoy could apply for parole, but that in forwarding their application they must give tho names of friends who were prepared to vouch for, their characters and future good conduct.

The police have not arrested all unnaturalized Germans in tho city. A number who have been able to bring British friends to vouch for their characters have been exempted from arrest so long as they report themselves to the police daily. A Gorman who was on the wharf when the members of the expeditionary force were embarking was warned by the police "to bo very careful."

Of the Gormans who have boon eent to Somes Island, over 30 came from Auckland, several of tho contingent belonging to a German band which is well known in the Northern city. About 20 aro seafaring men, and among the balance aro a master tailor, a traveller for a Portuguese firm, tradesmen and mechanics. About half of them appear to be reservists. Tho men will be well cared for on the island. They will be accommodated at the quarantine station, where there is a good water supply and pleasant surroundings, especially in the summer time. One German who was released on parole stated that he intended to make representations to tho authorities with a view to obtaining parole for the German commercial traveller who is among tho party taken to the island. He says that the traveller in question, who canvassed the wares of a foreign firm, had had the misfortune to bo taken into custody by the police at Auckland immediately on his arrival from Sydney. He also mentioned the case of a German master" tailor who obtained his "unconditional clearances" as far as the German Army was concerned soveral years ago in London, and who had been established in business in Wellington for some time. This man's "business, ho said, had been considerably interfered with by his arrest, but personally he thought that as soon as matters could bo arranged ho would be granted parole. A rush for naturalisation papers has set in from Germans and other foreigners in the Dominion, but tho Prime Minister has already mado it clear that the issue of such papers in a general way must be suspended for the time being.