SUSPICIOUS OF GERMANS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15769, 18 November 1914, Page 9

SUSPICIOUS OF GERMANS.

A DUNEDIN DEPUTATION

[by TKLF.GR Ant.— PRESS ASSOCIATION-.]

Dux edi v, Tu-esdav. j A deputation from the Dunedin Muni-1 cip:il Association waited upon the Hon. | James Allen regarding the presence of i pro-Germans in the community. j Mr. J. Connor /president of the asso- j nation) remarked that there was a feeling of unrest regarding residents of Herman! nationality, and suggested that the Govern-1 mint and local authorities should remove! then from positions where they could gain! infoimation which they might supply to th? enemy " ' ! Mr. Hutton referred to the case of a (iirman Consul who was a naturalised British subject, and had resigned. He thought something should be done with regard even to naturalised Germans. Ho' favoured also the. confiscation of German j capital invested here, which would bo! following the example set by Germany in France and Belgium. Mr. Maitland suggested, that one difficulty might be met t>y compelling naturalised Germans to submit to a re-obligation tent. In reply, the Minister said the police' and military authorities wire always on ' the watch. He would be glad if anyone i with anything definite to report would 1 lay the matter before him as early as' possible. Rumour and speculation were I not of much value. As for the Consuls, the German Government appointed someone already here, perhaps a Britisher, and it would be absurd to arrest such. When they had resigned the Consuls had given up their documents and were being! .watched. As for the seizing of Gorman property, it wag haidly right to deal with it at a tirng of war, because the difficul-1 ties could not be permanently settled. If j a case could be found of a German or a naturalised German who was disloyal, and I could be brought under the notice of the authorities, they would take action. As to Mr. Maitland's suggestion, what would !>•) the use of people taking a second oath when they had bien unfaithful to their fiist? If any case of disloyalty were shown to exist steps would he taken. Mr. Maitland : There will be plenty. Mr. Allen : 'Ihen let us have particulars of them.