ENEMY ALIENS IN NEW ZEALAND.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16151, 4 March 1918, Page 7

ENEMY ALIENS IN NEW ZEALAND.

STATEMENT BY HON. MR

WILFORD

A deputation of Napier business men waited upon the Hon. T. M. Wilford, Minister of Justice, in regard to the Government policy as to tho treatment of enemy aliens in New Zealand. Mr , Wilford replied as follows.— "Regarding tho aggregation of land bv aliens and others, I am in charge of the Department concerned, and I have called for reports from all branches concerning tho land dealings that have taken place, and in tne course of a week or ten days I will make it public. "I am not going to take anything on my shoulders regarding men under German names in business, but ■ they cannot trade with tho enemy now. I know nojthing of the Cabinet's actions in connexion with the Denaturalisation Bill introduced by Mr Brown. You ask whv should not tho sons of Germans who have been called up he made to work at soldiers' rates of pay? You have to think of the Allies'" cause. That is what Germany is doing with the Belgians. We say it is unjust, and can we say that if we make them work? Tho same thing is happening| in France, where the Germans are I making tho girls work for about Is Ed per day. Wo must not be parochial. It is a detestable position, but wo must think over it. "You ask why all the Germans are not interned. As soon as I got to Cabinet I asked that, and I was shown the despatch saying we \vcro not to do so. I would lovo to see them all interned." He continued: "Internment of enemy subjects is an international matter. and tile New Zealand Government considers it to be its duty to effect loyally to the requests of rne Imperial Government, which has required us to intern all enemy reser ~ vists and enemy subjects suspected or being dangerous. This has been done as far as we know. If any reservist has been missed, send me the proof, and the National Government will ini'mediately intern him. _ We have also provided police supervision of those enemy subjects believed to be harmless. * His Majesty's Government nas instructed us that care should be taken not to arrest persons whose known cfliaracters preclude suspicion or who can be personally vouched, for to the satisfaction of the Government. These are the British Government's instructions. Are we to obey them or to refuse to obey them? I believe no matter what our private opinions are we should obey them." The Minister continued that while ho could not understand such a policy, he personally thought that it had been decided on by the Allies for the protection of our own people in enemy territory, and more particularly for the protection of the subjects of our Allies. against whom tho enemy would undoubtedly take reciprocal , action. He would make representations to Obinet concerning questions he could not answer.