GUMDIGGERS’ LOYALTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3212, 6 October 1915, Page 61

GUMDIGGERS’ LOYALTY.

DEFENDED BY PRIME MINISTER. WELLINGTON, October 4. When the Kauri Gum Industry Bill was under discussion in the House to-night Dr Thacker, referring generally to the northern gum diggers, said that many of the men wore subjects of Austria, and instead of being allowed to enlist in the New Zealand forces, where they were a potential danger, they should bo kept in an internment camp until the conclusion of the war. The Prime Minister stated emphatically in reply that this reflection upon the loyalty of the diggers was not justified. The attitude taken up by those Austrian diggers had surprised him and many others. They wore not really Austrians, but were mostly Croatians and Dalmatians, and their sympathies were entirely with Britain and Russia. A number of diggers at Dargaville had telegraphed offering him 200 men for service abroad. They had also contributed money most generously. They had subscribed, ho thought, about £3OO, and ho had repeatedly received money for the war funds from one or other of them. Dr Thacker’s statement was unfair and unjustified.