DEPORTATION OF ALIENS

Chronicle (Levin), 2 March 1949, Page 4

DEPORTATION OF ALIENS

N.Z.R.S.A. Given Assurance By Minister tJ . (Per Press Associdtion) , . WELLINGTON, March 2. In any insfance where it appears a matter of definite urgency in the public interest that the immediate depprtation ofran alien is the preferable course, there will be no question as to the action taken by ihe authorities. This assurance has been given the New Zealand Returned Services' Association by the Minister of Justice, Mr. Mason, who, in discussions and correspondence with the Dominion president. of the association, Sir Howard Kip- . penberger, has clarified several points of Government policy towar4s aiiens. Qn the question of the deportation of certain enemy aiiens who had been recommended for deportation by the Aiiens Tribunal during the war, the Minister pointed out that at the time the list was made deportation was impracticable by reason of the many circumstances such as shipping * and the generafiy disturbed state of the world. The lapse of time ; and the intervening events made the question now of a different signifieance, and the question of deportation would require to be Separately considered in sueh instances. There was now' involved the grave hardship that would be caused to some innocent connections of these people, and whether any real good would be done. The ,police had the fullest information in all cases concerning aiiens, their character and ^ his^-. 'tory, said Mr. Mason, and would be no question as to the action taken imany instances where it appeared a matter of definite urgency in the public interest that immediate deportatiqn was the preferable course. The police were highly efficient and most competent in their judgment. The association had made representations to the Government that applications by aiiens for naturalisation should be publicly advertised— as was the practice in Eng- . land— and that any one objecting should be given an opportunity of making objection before naturalisa.tion was granted. Mr. Mason stated that that matter did not fall within his purview, but he -was referring it to the Minister of Internai Affairs for suggested favpurable consideration.