ENEMY SUBJECTS

Waikato Times, Volume 90, Issue 14026, 1 April 1919, Page 6

ENEMY SUBJECTS

ACTION IN SOUTH AFRICA.

OPPOSITION BY NATIONALISTS

(Reuter’s Telegrams.)

CAPETOWN, March 28

In the Assembly the Minister for the Interior, in moving the second reading of the Enemy Repatriation and Denaturalisation Bill, said that there were 2358 enemy subjects and 17 naturalised persons undfr detention. There were 584 who voluntarily desired repatriation, making a total, with their families, of 1204; also 444 who had not acquired a domicile, and about 140 who displayed such hostility as to be a danger to the peace of the Union, dhc toil! did not interfere with enemy subjects who were never interned or had been released before a given date. The Minister emphasised the point that the Bill was the outcome of the German atrocities, and declared that it would be a great injustice to turn all Germans out of South Africa, in view of the encouragement given in earlier years for settlement by Germans, many of whose descendants had given their lives side by side with the Allies. The Government declined to give way to the English clamour for all Germans to be repatriated, and equally opposed the Dutch demand not to legislate against them. The question of the entry of German or other enemy subjects into South Africa could not be dealt with till peace was signed. The Nationalists strongly opposed the Bill, on the grounds that it was unnecessary, and likely to cause trouble. , Mr Merriman declared that Inc Bill was one of safety. The sole object of the Germans during the next decade would be revenge, by inciting every part of the British and French. Empires and America to revolt. No opportunity should be given Germany for hostile penetration in South Africa. The debate was adjourned.