ENEMY ALIENS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23487, 26 October 1939, Page 16

ENEMY ALIENS

INTERNMENT QUESTION RETURNED SOLDIERS' VIEWS [by telegraph—press association] DUNEDIN, Wednesday That the internment of enemy aliens resident in New Zealand should be urgently considered by the responsible authorities in view of the dangers attendant upon possible espionage activities, public vengeance with or without provocation, and other subversive measures was the view of the executive of the Returned Soldiers' Association last, night. The large influx of refugees from Nazi Germany, particularly within the last two years, was viewed with strong disfavour, the argument being advanced that the present was no time for sentiment. "This will be 110 war with kid gloves on." said one speaker. "Everv German must be viewed as a potential enemy." A resolution was carried as follows: "That this country being at present at war, the question of internment' of enemv aliens be referred to the executive committee of the Dominion Returned Soldiers' Association for urgent consideration and discussion with the authorities." ' One member said that if there was a single German victory it might be rumoured local Germans had celebrated it, leading to a riot. Even if for a long time, these residents should be "roped