ALIENS IN NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9076, 22 June 1915, Page 8

ALIENS IN NEW ZEALAND

OUR TREATMENT OF THEM MORE OPINIONS OF CORRESPONDENTS To tho Editor “N.Z. ,Timos.” Sir, —I cannot neip thinking that a good deal ot unneceeoaiy nyatericai feeling ims Chen eiigcuucre-a uy tue action oi -Meosre Uxiaon jtmi Watson respecting tne retention of icroiCssor von ffcuiitz by Die V icUoria boxiege authorities, ami, wnile I an. not prepare*! to inuoree an- Atkinson s subtle uinerenuaaon between a mau nation ana a nation of madmen, I certainly do not hoid witn the mniction upon pies utuauly innocent and law-abiding citizens—he tuey Germans or otherwise — of crude ana peraaps cruel hardships under tue gmse of ” reprisals" for the acts ot an avowed enemy which were characterised By the Prune Minister of England as a "horrible record of callous cruelty and crime.” 'Two wrongs do not. make a right, and, if Germany adopts tne methods of a fiend, that is no argument why' Great Britain, Claiming to be a Christian nation, should follow suit. Uur methods are not coincident with German methods, nor are German, methods synonymous with ours. Germans will not adopt British methods; why, then, should we lower ourselves and sink our individuality by adopting German methods? Germany says, “God ptulisc England”; Great Britain says, "God forgive Germany.’ 1 Tho loftier sentiment is surely tho latter, and therein lies our gain. In any case, from a practical point of view, what end would be served by treating Professor von Zediitz -as Messrs Wilson and Watson suggest?,- Germany would probably be aggravated into inflicting further indignities upon finish prisoners who are in her hands, and the war would be no nearer a conclusion. Messrs Wilson and Watson certainly would have the satisfaction of having had Professor von Z_edlitz’s services dispensed with, but Victoria College would be the loser of a valuable and valued master of modern languages and literature, whom it would be difficult at the present juncture to replace. . For heaven’s sake let us act as reasonable beings, exercising a right judgment in all things, and not act as irresponsible creatures swayed by every emotion regardless of the suffering we may inflict. If, after being treated as a friend (and we havo no reason to treat him otherwise). Professor von Zediitz violates our hospitality, I should be among the first to advocate shooting him. In years to come, when the origin of the war has been forgotten, it -will still be remembered which side pjayed the game, and, let me add, it will only be by Playing the game can wo honourably "humiliate” Germany.—l am etc., PERCIVAL R. WADDY. Wellington, Juno 21st, 1915.

ALIEN PRISONERS, COUNCILLOR3, LAWYERS, MINISTERS AND PARLIAMENT To the Editor “N.Z. Times.” Sir, —The Patriotic Society deserves well of its country,' and should command our respect, but it is no use approaching Mr Massey, because he can conceal himself behind an Advisory Board fog, which is a thing as evasive and ephemeral as the grin of-a Cheshire oat, without form or void or anything else worth mentioning. When ■ college councillors shout, “blackguard” they must have something to conceal. W 7 hen they refer to a proclamation relating to the "subjects of the German Emperor . . . . now peaceably resident in New Zealand,” wo should realise that the proclamation , cannot refer to “alien enemy prisoners on parole.” The “alien enemy prisoner on parole’’ cannot vote or sit in Parliament, or on the Bench, he cannot serve King George . faithfully . because he is a sub ject of the Gorman Emperor, who is at war with King George. ’ The. college council appears to be the scene of a legal pantomime where gentlemen, of the legal profession of various degrees can practise sophistry. , It is. a pity that the Hoii. Mr Herdman should be entangled in their caucus. An appeal to Parliament to investigate would be a good course. When wo have to deal with the case oi an “alien prisoner on parole” we want to know every reason for and every step connected with his status as such. This is the key. to the situation to understand which, the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth should be first made clear.—l am, etc., PATRIOT. June 21st, 1915.

DO CIRCUMSTANCES ALTER CASES?

To tli© Editor "N.Z. Times-”

Sir, —The lion. Mr Herd man. Minister fcr Justice and Attorney-General, has token no the cudgels for Professor, von Zedlitz, and argues that there is nothing to find fault with in the retention. of the professor’s services as a teacher in Victoria. University College. The professor is not a naturalised British* subject—never wished to be, apparently—and is in charge of students, helping to shape their thoughts and. to some extent, controlling their outlook. - This is a very responsible position. He is certainly very much in charge of many of our brightest and keenest lads and lasses. The Government has accepted the professor’s parole of honour and declares that there is no good reason for. displacing this German teacher. That may be right from the Government’s point of view so far as Professor von Zedlitz i s concerned, but why does the Government differentiate? I can vouch for the following set of circumstances in. another case where a Government servant is concerned; A man who was in a responsible position; father a German, mother a Frenchwoman —'he man himself a naturalised British subject of many years’ standing. This man. this officer of the Government, has been deprived of his office because of his nationality, loses his position, and is awaiting tie derision of the department to which be was attached as to 'what he is to do in the future. Why, may I ask, has this man, this naturalised British subject, been so treated, while Professor von Zedlitz is protected by the Minister for Justice and maintained in his position because of the action of the Government, while a lesser light is snuffed out by the same Government? Bo circumstances alter cases?—l am. eIC " J. T. M. HOENSBY. ’ Carterton, June 21st, 1915.'

PROFESSOR VON ZEDLIT2

To the Editor "N.Z. Times-'

gjr,—lf an English -professor had held a high position in a German university, •what would have happened to him? I can state without fear of contradiction he would have been ticked out of his billet long ago. Because von Zedlitr belongs to society and is married into the local aristocracy his own clique strongly support him. and reckon him above suspicion. Should the unspeakable German ever gain the upper hand, wh'ch God forbid, the Germane in this country whose policy at the . present time is to profoes loyalty to our King and country would turn against ns to a man.' Once a German always a German. If the "professor” has not the spunk to resign in face of hostile public opinion, the duty of every loyal and patriotic Britisher is to strongly agitate and protest, and he should be compelled to do so- It has been suggested

that in the future anything made in Germany should be boycotted. This is a poor sort of way making a start.—l am, etc.. BRITISHERMasterton,

METHODS COMPARED In its May issue the "I.C.S. Student,” the journal of the International Correspondence Schools, has the following concerning alien encmiw and their treatment :—"France and Russia have them all ’under lock and key. So also, needless to say, have our opponents. , Not only have the Germans interned every British subject, but they have submitted our fellow-countrymen to almost every conceivable hardship, humiliation, and discomfort Moreover, if the official statements issued by our Foreign Officeare correct, the British prisoners of war are being treated in many cases like dogs—or worse. And now look at the other side of the picture. We have 40,000 Germans and Austrians of military age walking the streets-of 'London, communicating valuable information to the enemy—as is proved by the pending spy trial—setting fire to factories engaged in Government work, anil doing a variety of other things, the publication of which the censor dees not permit. Docs the' British lion worry’ aimself about this state of affairs? Not ’n the least. He.goes on wagging his tail and grinning affably as though he had nothing in the world to think about except the nice bone he had for lunch!”