The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1916. WAY RUN RISKS?

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2808, 28 June 1916, Page 4

The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1916. WAY RUN RISKS?

The decision of tho Government to segregate all unmarried unnaturalised Austrians who aro now living on tho North Auckland gumfields will commend itself to most •'people as a. very proper and justifiable precaution. It is a necessary war measure, and tho Government would not be doing its duty if it allowed itself to be deterred from action in the direction indicated by tho agitation which has been started by a section of tho Auckland public. In a time like this tho authorities have no right to take any chances. that can bo avoided, and the fact that about 3000 men of Austrian birth aro .living on tho North Auckland gumfields constitutes a problem which must bo faced. As «■ matter of fact, it ought to havo been dealt with long ago. The Government cannot be accused of hastiness or undue severity in its treatment of enemy- subjects. On tho contrary, it has been too much inclined to pursue the lino .of least resistance. It has been slow to movo until tho spur of public opinion has been applied. Some features of tho proposed method of segregating tho Austrians may bo open to adverse criticism,' but that somo precautionary measures aro called for hardly admits _of reasonable doubt. Tho segregation of _ tho Austrians may have a disturbing influence on tho gum industry. But that after all is a minor consideration. Why should wo take risks of trouble with a large body of enemy aliens ? To suggest that tho Government's proposals will deal a death blow to the gum industry is, of course, wildly extravagant. _ No ono wants to interfere with the industry any further than is absolutely necessary, and every care will of course be. taken to give effect to the schemo with a minimum amount of dislocation and inconvenience.

The matter has to be considered from the point of view of the general public as well as from the business standpoint. The existence of a good deal of public anxiety in the north regarding the present position cannot'be denied. One of the Auckland papers states that a great deal of hostile feeling has been expressed towards the Austrian gumdiggers, and that some of the settlers have loudly protested against these enemy aliens being allowed full liberty as British subjects, and permitted to remain in the district when so many young men have gone to the front. This attitude is a natural one, and not by any means unreasonable. The Prime Minister declares that serious rumours have been current as to strange happenings on the North Auckland gumfields. One statement is to the effect that a whole regiment of Austrians haver been seen drilling under a German officer. Some of theso rumours may have very little foundation, and others may be an exaggeration of facts, but their currency shows that the public mind is A state of unrest prevails, and it is the duty of the Government to take stops to allay these misgivings. Tho Government appears to have gone into the matter carefully enough Defore deciding to take action. The Prime Minister states that he placed himself in communication with the three North Auckland members, who furnished him with much valuable information and advice. No one could bo in a better position to know the facts than these members. They would have exceptionally good opportunities of forming reliable opinions regarding tho truth or probability of the rumours afloat, and they would be in close touch with the sentiments of the settlers m the district. They could bo cxpected to consider the situation in a broader and more disinterested spirit than tho representatives of the gum industry, who naturally look at the matter mainly from the business point of view. The Government has been- subjected to much advorso criticism for not dealing with the enemy subject problem in a sufficiently firm and comprehensive manner, and Ministers deserve commentdation and support when, as in this case, they do the right thing. The Prime Minister need not pay much attention to thoughtless talk about "persecution and tyranny." It is his business to do what is required in order to ensure the public safety. The proposed scheme of segregation is not a harsh one. It is a reasonable and justifiable safeguard. The Government cannot divest itself of tho responsibility of dealing with such matters, and it would make a ■rave mistake if it permitted a sectional agitation to divert it from its purpose. Tho enemy wo are .fighting is so utterly unscrupulous that we cannot afford to run, any avoidable- risk.