THE ENEMY ALIEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24849, 22 March 1944, Page 4

THE ENEMY ALIEN

The question of enemy aliens in a country at war with the one from which they have come must always be difficult. It. has raised its head in New Zealand, and there an; indications that the feeling already shown over it is likely to grow in strength. The very term "enemy alien" is unfortunate. Jt implies that those it is used to describe arc actually ill-disposed toward the Allied cause. If that were so, there should be no problem. They should be interned. The fact that those around whom the discussion centres are at large shows them to have convinced the authorities of their bona fides. The majority came to the country as refugees driven out by Nazi tyranny—that is to say, as representatives of the people whose liberation is one of the leading war aims. Bona fide refugees should be ! assured of a welcome. People should

be wary, therefore, of using the term "enemy aliens" as if it were necessarily one of reproach. Yet there are allegations, often made and frequently repeated, which should not be allowed to go unchallenged. It has been categorically asserted that some of these people, enemy aliens, refugees,' or by whatever term they are known, have been able to get preferential treatment by being granted licences for new industries when returned servicemen have been unable to get similar consideration. These are precisely the circumstances to disturb morale and encourage prejudice and ill-feeling. For the sake of those who answer to the description of enemy aliens, as well as of the community in general, the Government should take immediate notice of what is being alleged. If it is true, the injustice should be immediately rectified. If it is not, the allegations should be denied so emphatically and convincingly that there will be no danger of their being accepted any longer. There is real danger of an ugly social problem growing up, and it should be scotched without delay.