ALIENS' COMMISSION

Southland Times, Issue 17785, 14 July 1916, Page 3

ALIENS' COMMISSION

AUSTRIAN RESIDENTS, (Per United Press Association.) DARGAVILLE, .July 13. 'l'lie Aliens' Commission opened its sittinK at Dargaville to-day. The chairman, Mr J. W. Paynton, S.M., explained that the Commission has been sent to enquire into the alien question. Sergt. Griffiths, in charge of the police, gave evidence that there were 400 or 500 Austrians in the district. Their behaviour was the best, and they were law-abiding. All reported to the police. There was no necessity for their Internment from the police view. It was untrue that the men were armed, -and he had received no complaints of their demeanour. There had been no riot at Dargavllle at any time. Unnaturaliscd aliens report once a week and obey all the police requirements. All rumours as to enemy behaviour were groundless. Richard Mitchelson, a settler of 35 years residence, said lie had ne.ver heard of iinv drilling. The Austrians were not a menace to the community, and he did not favour their internment. Alfred Harding confirmed this evidence. The men resented Austrian rule even before the war.