ALIENS OF MILITARY AGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16233, 19 May 1916, Page 4

ALIENS OF MILITARY AGE.

Compulsory military service in Britain and heavy recruiting in New Zealand are having the .natural effect of drawing attention to the large numbers of aliens of military age, who not being affected by the war "take the jobs" of our own patriotic workers. It was suggested yesterday in the Dominion Parliament that a Dalmatian regiment might be raised for service with the Allies, to which suggestion. Mr. Massey had to reply that the enlistment of aliens is against Imperial regulations. In this connection it may be pointed out that while a very large proportion of so-called " Austrians" are undoubtedly bitterly Austrian they are none the less Austrian subjects unless they were naturalised before the war began. Unnaturalised " Austrians" taken in Allied uniforms would not be entitled to any consideration as prisoners of war and would receive none if they fell into Austro-German hands. The case of Belgian and French aliens of military age resident in Britainconcerning whom strong protests have been made by the Exemption Tribunal of the Bethnal Green area — wholly different. There is nothing whatever to prevent the British Government deporting them to the country of their origin, where they would be dealt with in the proper way by their national authorities.