REPATRIATION OF ALIENS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17125, 2 April 1919, Page 9

REPATRIATION OF ALIENS.

POSITION OP THE GOVERNMENT.

A reply to its request that all interned enemy aliens, whether military or civlian, should be repatriated, was received from the Acting-Prime Minister, Sir James Allen, by the Devonport Borough Council last evening. The Minister stated tnat repatriation concerned only those prisoners of war who asked to be returned to their own countries. A list of these had been prepared, and the New Zealand Government was awaiting instructions from the Admiralty as to the ship on which they would be embarked. It was impossible for the New Zealand Government to requisition a ship for the purpose, as all ships at present arriving in New Zealand were under Admiralty charter. He took it, however, that the point the council wished to emphasise was that all enemy aliens interned in New Zealand should he deported. That was a question which could not be decided in New Zealand, as it was an international one. There were many persons interned in New Zealand who at the time of their internment were enemy aliens, but it was certain that they would have a distinct nationality on the final declaration ol peace, and could be recognised as of the Allied Powers. The letter was received. The Mayor stated that of local bodies circularised on the matter, 23 had sup- | ported the council's resolution, and 13 took no action.