ENEMY SUBJECTS IN NEW ZEALAND

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2481, 7 June 1915, Page 6

ENEMY SUBJECTS IN NEW ZEALAND

PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN The members of the Advisory Boar? which is to consider cases of enemj subjects in New Zealand, guilty or sus' pected of disloyalty to Britain, will' bt Mr. A. D. Thomson (Assistant-Public Service Commissioner), Mr. John Roberts, C.M.G., of Dunedin, and Mr, George . Elliot, of Auckland. The board's duty will be to advise the Government as to whether it is necessary to interfere with the liberty, of aliens belonging to nations witli which Britain is now at war. The order of reference detailing the til!tics of the board will be issued probably on Monday, and the members will meet at AVellington as soon as possible. Tho board, the Prime. Minister informed a reporter, will have fairly wide -It will deal with all questions arising out of the presence of enemy subjects, whether naturalised or unnaturalised, but it would only be advisory to the Government. Certain coirespondence, Mr. Massey stated, has passed between the Imperial authorities and the New Zealand Government, and in the last communication which had arrived a day or two ago, it was stated that there must be power of internment in oases of necessity or danger, and the setting up of an advisory board was suggested. Such measures, it was stated, had been .adopted in England, less on military than on police grounds. Naturalised aliens were generally presumed to be loyal, but exceptional cases had occurred which must be specially dealt with. Cases had arisen, said Sir. Massey, in which a body such as that suggested would be exceedingly useful in making the necessary inquiries as to whether certain aliens should haro been interned or allowed at large. When and where ■-the board will hold its subsequent meetings will be a mattor for the members to decide. It will have full information concerning all enemy subjects at its disposal, and will he able to draw upon'the police records for further information if nece~-> sary.