THE GERMAN PROFESSOR

Timaru Herald, Volume CIII, Issue 15740, 26 August 1915, Page 7

THE GERMAN PROFESSOR

IMPORTANT STATEMENT. GOVERNS IE NT'S ATTITUDE. LEGISLATION If NECESSARY. (From Ocr Si'eciai Oorbesi'ondent.i "WELLINGTON, Aug. 25. An ImporiajiL icateiueut hi rcgaxa to the caco or Processor von ZecUnz, who occupies the chair of Moiem Languages ax Lno S'iCLoi'ui CuUeg", and wnoso pua--xion lias been flic subject of considerable public ut tuition s'itce the outbreak of the Avar, was made by the Prune Minster in tho House 01 Representatives this afternoon. Mr Noswortny (Ashburton), asked Mr Massey whether iti view of the strong public opraton throughout the Domiii-ou iJie Government will take stops to deal with the case of Professor von Zedntz, in. the same way as they are treating other alien enemies, and if cot, why not? '■The consensus of public opinion in this Dominion.. 1 ' he added, ''demands that there should be no d.stinct:on made in de-iiing with alien subjects under the Brit'-sh. flag." The Prime Minister replied as follows : (1) Whether Protossor von Zedlitz should retain iiis position or not, is a question to he decided by tho Victoria College Council, and not bv the Government, he being a servant of the Couno'l and not of the Government. (2) The House should understand that the Government has since the outbreak of <watf sfcriet'y -carried out the instructions issued by the Imperial Government, to the offocfc thafc "care should be taken i:ot to arrest persons whose known character precludes suspicion, or who are personally vouched for, to the satisfaction of the Government."

(3) In addition to what has been said above, the Government wishes to make it c'.ear that if necessary, legislation will be introduced before tho end of the spssion to deal with the situation inasmuch, as it is of opinion that neither in University Golleses nor public schools is it desirable that unnstura'ised enemy subjects should continue to give instruction to the youth and children of the Dominion.

Another question bearing on the treatment of enemy subjects Was asked by Mr Scott \CKngo Central), who inquired a? to what action iho Government intend to take with ro:erenc.s to imjiaturaHsed aliens, and \r7io ore now holders of laivl in New Zealand, and whether tliey were still permitted to paH.c'nate in land T,.allots. Mr Massey stated that the first part of the qnest'on wntfd be referred to the Crown land -officers for opinion, so that action might- be taken if necessary. As to thi» second part of tho inquirv, enemy subje.-ts. lie -a'd, would not be nl'owed to tike part ir> land ballots. A discussion in regard to tho Prime M.'n : ster's answer to Mr N«>wcrthv ! s question took p/ace in the House this eveninc-

Mr R. Fletcher ("Wel'ington Central"), said that there was great indignation throughout the country regardinrr the rrtent'pn of Professor von Zedlitz, as the Victoria University College was subsidised to the extent of /-4000 or £-5000 a year by the Government, and was therefore to oil intents and purposes, a Government institution. If the Professor had not been connected witn the elite of social circles, he would not have been retained. It was reported that the Professor bad tendered his resignation, and his resignation had not been accented. Mr Massey: No : he told the chairman of the Co!'«;je Council he was prepared to resign. Mr Fletcher said that it was the duty of the Council to accept the resignation. If the Professor was a gentleman he would resign now. "it was the dutv of tne Prime Minister to have placed the matter before the National Government. Mr Massey It has been before the j National Government. I Mr Fletcher concluded by saying that he fe't so strongly on the subiecC that lie would move when the Estimators were before the House, that the amount of Irs salary. £7OO. should he deletedMr -J -T. M Hornsby CWairarapa), said that discrimination was bein"' shown in the treatment of different Germans. Professor von Zcd.'itz had r.ad opportunities of becoming naturalised, iind had refused. "