DISPOSAL OF INTERNEES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17361, 7 January 1920, Page 8

DISPOSAL OF INTERNEES

DEPORTATION WANTED.

RETURNER SOLDIERS' VIEWS.

THE SALE OF GERMAN GOODS.

Matters relating to the treatment of ewray aliens who hove been interned in the Dominion, and the sale of Germanmanufactured goods in Now Zealand, were discussed at a meeting of the executive of the Returned Soldiers' Association last evening. The subject of interned enemy aliens, which was first dealt with, was introduced by Mr. E. Inder, who said that as it waft the intention of the association to call a public meeting to discußs the matter it was important that the executive should a'dopt a, policy in respect to the treatment of enemy subjects. There would be little difference of opinion among members of the association regarding the desirability of getting rid of people who had been regarded as a menace to the community in war time nnd had been interned. Their presence in the country now that the war had ended was a continued menace, but the terms on which it was proposed to get rid of these people had to be seriously considered. He moved a resolution affirming thu principle that all enemy subjects who had been interned should be deported to ttyur respective native countries, and that any property held by them in the. Dominion should be taken over by the Government at its pre-war valuation. Mr, L. J. Garmßon said he saw no reason why an enemy subject should take anything from this country to Germany. The complex nature oi the question at issue was emphasised by Mr. V. Atkinson. He referred to the position of the British wives of Germans, who had been interned, and asked if it was intended that these woman and the children they had borne in New Zealand should be sent to Germany!' Tho chairman, Mr. G. Elliott, said the question as to whether the enemy subjects- it was desired to have departed should be compensated for the loss of pro- 1 perty was a matter for thu Government to decide. Mr. T. Long said that when the Prime Minister was approachcd by a deputation at the Thames regarding the release of interned Germans, he said he did not know that these men had been released, and expressed surprise at the fact. That was the position the public were in; they wanted to know the reason these people, who were supposed to be a menace to tho country, haa been released from internment, and had been allowed to resume their citizenship. Obviously if they were a menace to the country in war time, they ware a menace now. He urged that these enemy aliens should be allowed to take out of tho country any capital they had brought into it and no more. Similar opinions were expressed by other speakers, and tho motion, on being put to tho meeting was carried. In reference- to the sale of German goods in tho Dominion, Mr. G. R. Hutchinson said he conridercd that in dealing with tha matter of German goods in the country the association should novo the support of tho Chamber of Commerce. Tho speaker read a letter that had been ! received by an Auckland business man from a German firm of manufacturers, which suggested that orders for German goods should bo sent from the Auckland firm through its European buying agents in London. This showed the manner in which the German business people were attempting to resume their pre-war connection with tho Dominion. Letters had been immediately sent to both tho German manufacturer and the firm buying agents, making it clear that no German or Austrian goods could be accepted on any consideration whatever. This should be the attitude of all Nevr Zealand business people. He considered that the only - way in which Germany should be traded with was by the Dominion accepting raw material or such products as sugar in payment of her share of the war indemnity. There views received general support from the members present, and a resolution waa curried to the effect that the Chamber of Commerco be requested to support the association in making representations to the Government with a view to preventing German goods from being imported into the Dominion. A committee was appointed to arrange for a meeting to be held in the Town Hall, when tho matters that bad been discussed would be placed fully before the public.