GERMAN PRISONERS

Otago Witness, Issue 3250, 28 June 1916, Page 62

GERMAN PRISONERS

(From Ock Own- Coheespoxdext.) WELLINGTON, June 21

Following upon a disturbance which occurred on the Wellington wharf between a German prisoner and his guard, a question uas asked in the House of Representatives by Mr Toole, of Auckland, to which the Minister of Defence replied today that lie had noted the incident, and every precaution would be taken to avoid a recurrence. The official report of the incident was at variance with the newspaper reports, and did not represent theincident as being very sensational. Some debate followed upon the incident. Mr Poole said that the promise that steps would be taken to avoid a recurrence showed that som*o good had been achieved by _ the question. 'I ho lenient manner in which the Government was treating the prisoners both at Somes Island and at Motuihi was causing a large number of people to becomo disgusted. We were molly-coddling these prisoners instead of placing them under strong discipline. Ho did not advocate yindictiveness or harshness, but great dissatisfaction was felt at the fact that, while the British prisoners of war in Europe were being treated in such a filthy manner, the German prisoners in New Zealand were being accorded infinitely better treatment than that accorded to thousands of cur own subjects in the dominion.

Messrs Payne and Young also referred to complaints made about the freedom allowed interned prisoners.

Mr Young said that public attention had lately been forcibly directed to the great freedom allowed to prisoners of war visiting the cities of Auckland and Wellington. He read an extract from a letter by a resident of Auckland. This said that itwas true about the prisoners and their guards frequenting one of the first-class hotels and dining and drinking together. "I maintain," said the writer, '"that it is not a fair thing to put boys (or men either) in this position if they accept favours from their prisoners. Is it not natural that they would give something in retnirn, and who knows where it might end';' We all know what a crafty gentleman the Hun is, and he must smile when he thinks what 'mugs' we are. Then, ap;ain, jt is not a fair thing to ask girls, who probably may have brothers laying down their lives at the front, to wait on the brutes. I notice that Herr Carl Seogner has been released owing to illhealth, when our poor beggars in Germany were dying like flics of fever. They didn't even get a doctor, let alone their liberty." In referring to the illness of tho late German Consul, Mr Young asked whether doctors amongst the prisoners could not give the necessary treatment. He believed an Austrian doctor of considerable reputed skill was there, and he could see no reason why his services should not be used. The manner in which these prisoners drove about in motor cars in Auckland' with a' youthful guard sitting with a bayonet in the back of the car was becoming quite a joke. Tho whole business was creating quite a. sore feeling.- If these prisoners had to visit tho cities on business they shou'ei bo allowed to do 'heir business and quickly get away again, and not allowed to "show off " and have a good time generally. DIE IN HIS OWN HOME.

The Hon. A. L. Herdman said that ho did not know all the circumstances to which reference had been made. He had no doubt that the Minister of Defence, when he returned, would give the matter his personal attention. He (Mr Herdman) had. however, some knowledge of the case of the ex-German Consul at Auckland. After his internment it was reported twice by Colonel Talbot, the medical officer, that if Seegner were confined there he would die. After he was examined by Surgeongeneral Henderson, the ■ Government decided that he should he' allowed to go to his own home, where ho would be watched over either by a soldier or a policeman. The man was suffcrinir from diabetes, and could not recover. The Government had decided that the man, if he must die, should be allowed to die in his own home.