AN ALIEN PROFESSOR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2540, 14 August 1915, Page 6

AN ALIEN PROFESSOR

THE VON ZEDLITZ CASE DISCUSSED BY PATRIOTIC SOCIETY The fact that Professor von Zedlitz continues to hold his position on tho staff of Victoria College, end that the Prime Minister has stated that the Government can take no further action after tho report received from the Aliens Commission was discussed at the meeting of tho Patriotic Society last night. The president of the society "(Mr. H. G. Hill) pointed! out tha*. tho question was on the agenda paper. He said that it had given him a great deal of thought, for it was quite possible to inflame the public mind when dealing with such a matter in open committee, and tlioy migXt arouse outrages which they did not want. The question was whether or not they should discuss the matter in committee, or postpone it, and refer it to tho National Ministry. Personally lie had very strong views on the matter, but they had seriously to consider anything that might cause a disturbance.

Mr. J. Lewis thought that it was time they had some finality on the matter. Ho did not think they would get any satisfaction from tho National Cabinet. They had 1 either to tako the matter up arid do something definite, or shelve it. If they did not decide on something definite, another party was prepared to do so.

_ Mr. Hill said that a wrong impression had got about with regard to the Patriotic Society and his acrtion. They were not attacking Professor von Zedlitz as an individual; his character had never heen commented upon once, but it was a question of principle. He (Mr. Hill) had been invited by the chairman of tho Aliens Commission, to give evidence. He didl so, and expressed astonishment when he found that the order ;of referencb was sucli that the Commission had to report to tho Government whether Professor von Zedlitz had said or' done anything which warranted his internment. He said then that tho • society had never questioned any of his actions, hut they did question him holding that position. He was then asked if ho would favour tho position being declared vacant if no Englishman was available to fill it? Ho had no hesitation in replying that he would. He felt that the Commission was asked to report on something which was next door to impossible to get any evidence about a£ all. But a National. Ministry, had been formed, and as they were dealing with the matter from a national standpoint he thought that the society should go as a big deputation to the. Government ,on the question. That, he thought, would be better than to hold a public meeting, though ho had had numerous requests for such a meeting. He had had a telegram that day from Auckland which read 1 : _ "Wo don't want Germans. The public aro with you." They did not desire to do anything that might cause, "mob rule." Mr. F. H. Mather asked what power the Government had in tho matter? ■ It seemed to'him extraordinary .that Professor von Zcdlitz should continue to hold his position. Mr. J. M'lntosh said! that one or 'two had expressed the idea that the matter should be discussed in committee. A' vote was taken and- the discussion was continued in committee. It'was.finally decided to adjourn the discussion till Friday night. next, in tho meantime a committee to wait oil. the Prime Minister, and report to" the' meeting on. Friday. Mr. Hill was .appointed to wait on the Jrime Minister, ,