ALIENS IN THE NORTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16590, 13 July 1917, Page 4

ALIENS IN THE NORTH.

COMPULSORY SERVICE.

PROTESTS BY PUBLIC MEETINGS. [by TELEGRAPH.OWN correspondent.]

KAWAKAWA. Thursday. The presence of thousands of anemy-born subjects in the North, most of whom are of military age, and nearly all of whom are single, has created discontent locally, which is finding expression in public meetings of protest and in the form of resolutions by public bodies demanding that the Government should mobilise these aliens for national work of some sort, preferably industrial service in the Dominion under military discipline at soldiers' pay, without keep or clothing. A public meeting was held in Kaikohe recently. There was a large gathering .of townspeople and settlers. A petition asking that all enemy aliens should be conscripted, either for service at the front or service on public works at war rates of Eay, was largely signed. A public meeting eld in Kawakawa on Tuesday evening passed a resolution expressing alarm at the fact that there is still at large a considerable number of alien enemy subjects in the north of Auckland, and expressing the opinion that such persons are, or will be, a menace to society, since, when the Second Division has been called up, such aliens will be in a majority in the North. The meeting asked that immediate steps should be taken to deal with such aliens.

The Bay of Islands County Council unanimously adopted a resolution yesterday, affirming that all naturalised aliens in New Zealand should be treated as British subjects as regards military service but if it is found impracticable to send aliens to the front, that they, together with 'other aliens who are ineligible for military service, should be compulsorily employed in roadmaking or other public works under proper supervision, and at pre-war rates of wages.