Delay In Deportation Of Aliens Criticised

Chronicle (Levin), 4 May 1948, Page 5

Delay In Deportation Of Aliens Criticised

WELLINGTON, May 3. The following is an official statement issued by the N.Z.R.S.A. today: — "The N.Z.R.S.A. has alway's been concerned with the question of enemy aliens and is espeeially concerned about those enemy aliens whom the Aliens Tribunal recommend for deportation. Repeated requests over a period of months, have been made to the \ Prime Minister to ascertain if the reeommendation of the Tribunal has been carried out but the only replies have been bare acknowledgement s from the Prime Minister 's secretary. "The R.S.A. eannot nnderstand the reluctance of the Prime Minister to reply and can only conclude either that the aliens have not been deported or that the Goverriment does llot intend to carry out the recommendation of the Tribunal. f'lt is understood that the regulations in reference to enemy aliens have been revoked. This means that those aliens recommended for deportation can ucquire property, enter business or any yocation they may choose, in competition with ex-servicemen and in fact may be ngturalised. If this is tlie position then the seriousness of the position must be apparent to every citizeir of the country. "If the behaviour of some enemy aliens during the war was such that the Tribunal, pfesided over by a Judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand, recommended deportation, then such enemy aliens were not fit and proper residents of this country. Yet if they are still here and are now allowed full frpedom, the people of New Zealand should know it and know why the recommehdation was not carried out. " Tlie N.Z.R.S.A., ligving failed to get answprs to its \ letters, asks the Governiiient, have f^iese enemy aliens been deported? If not, -what is their present status in the country f"