THE VON ZEDLITZ CASE.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2594, 16 October 1915, Page 3

THE VON ZEDLITZ CASE.

Sir, —The Hon. T. "W. Hislop is a difßcuJt. man to understand either by his spoken or his written word. Let us boil tlio case of von Zedlitz down. Fourteen years ago Hen- von Zedlitz was engaged to teach modern languages at Victoria College. Ho is German born, and was then, and is now, 1111liaiuraliscd. His nationality was raised by himself, and ho gave the AgentGeneral an'assurance that lie would become not' only a permanent resident of this country, but "a. citizen of New Zealand" (see the Professor's letter to tho Press). Professor von Zedlitz had fourteen years to become "a citizen of New Zealand," and lie failed. liencc this pother. It is compatible with common-sense that a merchant in Wellington is not allowed to trade and pay money to alien enemies, and that the Victoria Collego Council should employ and pay ah alien enemy, with acknowledged "strong sentimental feelings for Germany, even up to September 2of this year—thirteen months after the most brutal atrocities —unparalleled in history—had been perpetrated by "the road-hogs of Europe." Not only was it incompatible with common-sense, but it was contrary to law; although by a quibble the Victoria College Council put" up tho plea that) they were superior to the Parliament and peoplo who created them. Hcnco tho Prime Minister's threat: licnce the .action of Parliament.

Now, it has never been disputed or denied that Herr von Zedlitz is heir to title and estate in Germany, and that tho reason, for his failure to renounco Germany was his desire to retain his rights in Germany by maintaining his German nationality. That and his strong sentimental feeling for German induced him to send in his resignation. To his credit, be it said, Professor von Zedlitz saw clearly that he could not hold to Germany and takejwy and service from Great Britain. He could not serve God and Mammon, so to speak. With blundering 'pertinacity the Victoria Collego Council twice refused his resignation. They are more to blame than Herr von Zedlitz. Was it not due time to threaten Victoria Collego Council with a Bill to compel them to relinquish their German Professor? Yet Sir. Hislop flouts the Prime Minister with yielding to anonymous letters iu tho Press and so-called "popular clamour-." The peoplo saw that the Government was making fish of all alien enemies, and they realised that the Victoria College Council was determined to make fowl of Herr von Zedlitz. Herr Schmidt, an example of industry, from working on the roads in the King Country, was interned, and Herr von Zedlitz, whoso personal influence had made some students, some professors, and the Victoria College Council favourable to his retention, the highly intelligent and paid German was absolved. Mr. Hislop has denounced the internment of Herr Schmidt, but he caUs it "popular clamour" when others point' out tlio incongruity of interning the poor and simple alien and allowing the rich (comparatively) and kultured to escape. Then, Mr." Hislop, knowing all this, palavers about fairness and justice,' and keeping a high standard in New Zealand while overthrowing unrighteousness in Europe. The letter Professor von Zedlitz wrote to Sir Francis D. Bell last year (and why it was not acted upon at the time is yet unexplained) showed tlio direction of tho Professor's patriotism: he thought he ought to return to his native country and help the Fatherland. Perhaps he did not know he would notbe let. But- he resigned with the intention of going back to Germany,'and tho chairman of the Victoria ' College Council stifled the resignation. Surelv Mr. Hislop must see that the'-friend's of Herr von Zedlitz have brought upon Rim and themselves all the trouble they have created.—-I am, etc., J. D. SIEVWRIGHT.