ENEMY ALIENS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24431, 17 October 1940, Page 6

ENEMY ALIENS

NEED FOR MORE TRIBUNALS APPOINTMENT ON DISTRICT BASIS DIFFICULTIES OF THE TASK I (Per United Press Association) % WELLINGTON. Oct. 16. The Attorney-General, Mr H. G. R. Mason, annzunced to-day that regulations providing for the appointment of more alien tribunals on a district basis were almost completed. The Minister outlined the work of the first tribunal and referred to stme of the difficulties that presented themselves. in considering the control -of aliens. Mr Mason said that the alients’ tribunal had now been functioning long enough to obtain a comprehensive view of the majcr problems involved in the question classifying aliens and in determining the extent of the restraint that might be prudent. Provision for Appeals After describing the activities of the existing, tribunal, Mr Mason said: “ Upon its appointment it was felt that the one tribunal following the present prc cedure woud- hardly be able to deal with all the cases. The experience of the tribunal has made it clear that it will be necessary to have tribunals in every police district* and in the larger districts probably more than one 'tribunal'. Regulations are now-' being drafted to give effect to' this procedure. These provincial tribunals will systematically review " the cases of all enemy aliens. - They will make a provisi'nal recommendation and in the great majority of cases this will- conclude the matter'so far as that alien is concerned, but it will be open either to the alien or to, the police to appeal to the present tribunal, whose work may thus be regarded as largely cf an appellate nature.” Mr Mason said the drafting of regulations concerning aliens was of a difficult nature if certain grave injustices and anomalies that arose during the last war were to be avoided. “What is an alien and what is an enemy alien? These questions,” the Minister said, “are not of immense difficulty as a matter of legal definition, but unfortunately these legal interpretations by no moans indicate the dividing line between" persons about , whom suspicion should' be entertained and those who may be regarded as trustworthy. Many people Who are British subjects but cf enemy 'origin .: give ground for suspicions as to their loyalty and cannot be excluded from the purview of. the alien tribunals. On the other hand, if we are not very careful a definition which might include, such persons might include also loyal subjects sons, and brothers have given their lives for our country in the last war or who are fighting for us in this war; and in respect of whom it: is unthinkable that they should-be subjected to the humiliation of going before a tribunal. Essential Considerations . “The safety of the country.and the 5 - full prosecution of its war effort are the essential considerations,” Mr Mason added, “and nothing must interfere with this. But where we can, by taking proper care, see that this can/bo secured without harsh oppressiveness it is our duty to. take that care, and, in particular, a Labour Government with the instinct of humanity as one of its cardinal principles cannot neglect the duty of taking that care, (> The tribunal enables this to be done.”