PRO-GERMANS IN NEW ZEALAND

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2309, 17 November 1914, Page 7

PRO-GERMANS IN NEW ZEALAND

.'APPEAL TO MINISTER OF DEFENCE. (By Te]eirai>i-PreE» Assooietlon.l Dunedln, November 16. ?t deputation representing the Dunedin Municipal Association waited upon the Hon. James Allen last night regarding, the pro-Germans in the community. Sir. J. Connor, president of the association, was the chief spokesman. Hβ remarked that there wea a feelin'g of unrest regarding those of German nationality, and he suggested that the Government and local authorities should remove them from the positions where they could gain information ■which they might supply to .the enemy. Mr. Hutton referred to the case of a German Consul who" was a naturalised British subject and had resigned. He thought something should be done with regard even to naturalised Germans. He favoured also the confiscation of German capital invested here, whioli would be following the example eet by Germany in France and Belgium. : Mr. Maitland .suggested that one difficulty might be" met by compelling naturalised Germans w> submit to the ieobligation test. . .

In. reply, the Minister said the police and military authorities were always on the watch, and ho would Bβ eald if anyone with anything definite to report would lay the matter before him as early as possible. Rumour and speculation were not of much value. As for the Consuls the German Government appointed someone already here, perhaps a Britisher, and it would be absurd to arrest such when he had resigned. The Consuls had given up their documents and were being watched. Aβ for seizing German property it was hardly right to deal with it at a time of war, because the difficulties could not be permanently settled. If a case could bo found of a German or naturalised , German vwho was disloyal and could be brought under the notice of the authorities, they would take action. As to Mir MaitJand's suggestion, what would bo the use of people taking a second oath when they had been unfaithful to their first P If'any case of disloyalty were shown to exist, stops would be taken. Mr. Maitland: There will be plenty Mr. Allen:; 'Then let us have particulars of them.' \ . ■ . ■ •