SUSPICIOUS FOREIGNERS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2286, 21 October 1914, Page 6

SUSPICIOUS FOREIGNERS

STATE ON GUARD

PROMPT MEASURES IF NECESSARY

Tlio Minister of Defence was asked yesterday afternoon by Mr. ' Bradney (Auckland West) whether he would take immediate steps to , cause all foreigners in the Dominion to report themselves to tho authorities at once. There wa6 a very strong feeling that the delay that had been taking, place was endangering tho country. The Hon. Jas. Allen said that it was rather a large order to ask all foreigners to report themselves. So far, howover, as Germans and Austrians were concerned; the Government was keeping a most careful watch. They could not of course watch every one of the Austrians on the gumfields in the North. Mr. Rhodes (Thames): They are mostly Dalmatians there. Mr. Allen said that ho did not know whether they were Dalmatians or not, but there / would be a great difficulty in watching every one, of tho men on. the gumlie'lds. ' Ho had' asked for a list of all the prisoners of war who were interned at Somes Island, Motuihj, and at some places in tho South Island, but this had not yet come to hand. When it was received he would "let the House know how many were interned. He was frequently getting letters suggesting that particular individuals wero Germans or that they were not friendly to us. In all such cases he had inquiries made to ascertain whether the -state'ments were correct. Only that day lie had received ono of these. letters, and a watch was being kept to ascertain whether there were any grounds for arresting the man.' The Government was doing everything possible to conserve the interests of the people of the Dominion in this respect. There was ; however a difficulty in ascertaining who wero Germans,' or wlio' were reservists. Some of these people had been in New Zealand for thirty or fortyfyears', and it was difficult to treat them 1 ' as prisoners of war until it liad been ascertained 'whether they were unfriendly, or not. • Mr. W ilfori'J (Hutt): Are there any. Germaiis in our, forts P ■ Mr. Allen:' Not liere. There was ono man in tho forts at Auckland, who Mas born of German, parents, but lie had been taken out. Mr. Wilford: Is he not on the staff now? ! . ■ Mr. Allen: Yes, he is on.tho staff of the Coast Defence Commander. Mr. Wilford: Is that,a good place for him?, Mr. Heed (Bay of Islands):'ls ho not still in the forts? Mr., Allen: Not so far as I know. Ho was born in New Zealand, and to all intents and purposes he is a British subject. ' Tho officer commanding the forces was going to Auckland on Thursday,. and he would make an. inquiry into this particular case. Mr. Wilford': I can give some information regarding that case. The Prime Minister said that so far as Germans and Austrians resident in New Zealand were concerned the Government had,to be guided to a large extent by the' instruction received from, the Imperial authorities. The. Government had received definite'instructions, and were acting on them. Hon. members, however,' would .recognise- that there wero Germans ■ and Germans. Sonio of them were very old settlers in New' Zealand, and were naturalised British subjects, and even in tho present crisis their sympathies were with Britain.' (Hear, hear.) Same had proved this by allowing their, sons to go with the Expeditionary Forco. ,So far as the Austrians were concernedhe referred more particularly to those on the gumfiolds—there was very little fault to find with them/ , A'great many had: proved, .their . sympathies with us by subscribing to. the Patriotic Fund. An hon. member: That is no proof. Mr./Massey: A man is known by his works, and .these men that I , refer to have not only sent their sons to the front in the Expeditionary ■ Force, but have contributed- to the Patriotic Fund as well. Thai is aproof of where their ■ sympathies lio.\ There are, however, undoubtedly Germans whose sympathies are with their own people and against us, and whom we cannot trust, but everything is being done to safeguard the iutercsts of New Zealand, and its citizens. . If it is proved at any time that these people are supplying any information detrimental to the British people there will bo no hesitation on the part of the Government in dealing with them. They will be handed over to tho military authorities, tried by courtmartial,' and if .they are-found guilty I don't 1 need to tell lion, members what the penalty will be. We don't want; to do anything harsh, but self-preserva-tion is the first law of Nature, and if there is any proof against any German or Austrian.in this country giving the position away to our enemies then he. will have to take the consequences. •