ALIENS & RIOTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2464, 18 May 1915, Page 7

ALIENS & RIOTS

NOT THE BRITISH WAY

STATEMENT BY MR, MASSEY

A statement deprecating strongly outbreaks of rioting and violence against persons of German birth in New Zealand was made by the Prime Minister to a reporter yesterday. 'We know there is a feeling of intense indignation, not only in this country, but in every part of the Empire, at the wicked aild detestable methods practised by the Germans in carrying on the campaign," said Mr. Massey, "but what happened at Wanganui is not the way 3y which our indignation should find jxprsssion. I have not the very slights ?st doubt but that the Wanganui outireak will be exaggerated a hundredfold tn German communities, and tend to jreate sympathy for Germans in countries which are neutral or even friendly to us.

"I can assure our citizens that the inemy subjects in this country are unler strict. supervision. Any indication >f sympathy with the enemy or hos;ility to Britain is immediately followed by internment at Somes Island or Motuihi, while any assistance to the enemy by imparting; information Or ill any other way will be followed by courtmartial and punishment to fit the offence. If more becomes necessary) more will be .done.

"I may also siy that we cannot send enemy subjects out of New Zealand during the War period. Our instructions from the Impe'ial authorities are that such, people must not be allowed to leave the Dominion. I have cabled to the Home .Government, asking whether they have ally alterations of the original instructions to suggest. In the meantime, I would ask our people, indignant though they may be, to remember they are British) aild aot accordingly. "I notice that Mr. Asquith, in dealing with this Question, is reported in this' morning's cables to have said:— 'That (the recent looting and plundering) did not represent the spirit ,or the methods of A sane, w>ber ; self-respefiting population in dealing with such a problem.' " 1

"DO NOTHING UN-BRiTISH." THE MAYOR'S ADVICE. The Mayor (Mr, J. P. Luke) expressed the hope yesterday that Wellington people would act up to their traditions, and not lose their self-pos-session at such a time to do that which is and the reverse of our idea of what fre 6onc6ive to bo cultured conduct.

WINDOWS BROKEN AT HOKITIKA. (By Telegraph.—Prt'Sß Association.) Hflkltlka, May 17. To-night the windows of several business premises in Hokitika 'were broken by stOne-throwers. The owners of the shops are of German origin, and this fact is regarded as the reason of the damage being done. _ On Saturday night the plate-glass windows of a man named Jacobs were broken by the same means, and in the local Press to-day he disclaimed being a German. The police are endeavouring to trace the perpetrators.

I reference to the Wanganui riot, stated that his firm had always been one of I the most loyal in the Dominion. It had supported from tlie outbreak of War all patriotic movements. Within eight days of receipt of the neivs of tho declaration of the war the firm isstied a circular to all branches in Now Zealand stating that they would pay all their men who eulisted half salary for six months, and after that period t'lio mattor would bo furthar cohsidered, and thoso who had Wives or parents dependent on them would stilr receive halfpay., The firm also gavo £300 to the Patriotic Funds in Dunedin, and members of the firm had subscribed individually. Sir. Fels added that his only son had enlisted. The firm had been established since 1873, and the whges paid annually ainojnt to about £40,000.