THE ALIEN REFUGEES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24337, 29 June 1940, Page 13

THE ALIEN REFUGEES

TO THE EDITOR

Sir, —Mr John A. Brailsford. the organising tutor of the W.E.A.. writes in defence of the alien refugees, deprecating any development of hysteria. I agree there is no need for hysteria, not even for Mr Brailsford's hysterical effort to prevent hysteria developing Our alien refugees are mostly as charming as we all are. The question is whether in the presence of the religious nationalism of Germany they can be trusted politically. They should be interned as an act of wisdom, but not of personal hate. The sentimental attitude adopted by your correspondent smacks, to my mind, of what is so sweetly described as pacifism. Surely it is time we Ceased to use this word. A more correct term would be " surrenderism." But it is an awkward 015 c Could any one supply a better?—l am, etc., J'Accusc. Dunedin, June 28.

Sir, —If I were a genuine German refugee. I think, for my own good, I would welcome being interned instead of having the continual doubt that, in the minds of others, 1 might be deemed to be helping Hitler. I would feel sure of being fairly treated and comfortably housed and fed by a British people. In return for this, if the New Zealand Government selected suitable localities, prefei-ably away from the main arterial roads, I and the others would be able to grow vegetables for ourselves, and have the surplus disposed of in the markets. By this I would feel I was in a small way helping my benefactors for the security I wes- enjoying in this country, and th cost of my keep would be less than the number that must be employed in watching my movements. The " spy " refugee would not welcome it, for under these conditions it would be next to impossible for him to get in touch with those who, by some means or other, are able to send to the Germans immediate news and information of the utmost importance to them in maturing their diabolical plans to defeat us. Being a hypothetical genuine refugee, with hatred of Hitler and his inhuman actions. I might be able to help the authorities to sift the wheat from the chaff.—l am, etc.. Safety First. Dunedin. June 27.