GERMANS MAKING MERRY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2798, 16 June 1916, Page 5

GERMANS MAKING MERRY

AN AUCKLAND STOIIY. Close upon tho heels of tho accounts of tho unruly conduct of an interned German from Somes Island when he was brought over to tho mainland a fow days ago comes a much more sensational story from Auckland. This Auckland story ,-was published in a letter signed "Indig-. nant" in tho "New. Zealand Horald." "Indignant" had been told by a friend .that some third person had told the ifriend of a'party of twelve men, .who jhappened to bo taking food at tho hotel jwhero the friend -was staying; seven -were 'German prisoners from Motuihi,- and five j.wore their soldier guards. "Indignont's" ■ et'ory was that tho;Germans were making merry at table, drinking their favourite ■;wines, and as it was tho day after news of. Loi'd Kitchener's death, reached New Zealand' it was suggested that the Germans were celebrating tho event. Hie letter commented also on the action of the guards in joining -in the "celebra- ' ' ; tions." , , ■ ' Mr. J. A. Young brought. this letter under the notico of the Defence Minister yesterday, saying that tho matter was onerequiring immediate attention, and if euch "goings on" were possible, they should- for the future be made impossible. Mr. 1 Allon: I l>ayo no knowledge of the , matter. If tho honourable member will let me have the letter, I will have inquiries: made. ' : Mr. Wilford:- Is it . possible that sucll a thing could happen?Mr. Allen: I don't think so.' There aro most extraordinary statements circulating throughout the country. • Some people are getting, quite hysterioal about Germans. • . - -