ALIEN COMMISSION

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2824, 15 July 1916, Page 7

ALIEN COMMISSION

By Telegraph—Press' Association. 1 Dargayillo, July 14. The Alien Commissi 1 .')! heard evidence to-day, much ol it being in favour of the Slavs. Oils witness, a contractor, said there was 110 animosity to aliens,_ but that they under-cut woxk. His objection Was purely economic. .Mr. Hobwn, couivty engineer, did not consider that aliens were uniitr-cutling, They did the work quite as wtTi as l>ntishers. .. . Judgs Wilson, of the Native 1-and Court, said tha'alielis were always nsiicaful and law-abiding as residents. Tha Court, confirmed many land transactions with them. At Ahipnra iic had hoard complaints of. their holding wine licenses and debattihery taking place.-'.lf v.ould lis in the best interests ol ! the Maoris to cancsl the wine license.-:. Wtrk had been taken by aliens, and some feared tliat they might take charge of matters in the mirth. Jle hud heard 110 statwnent of aliens arming. His personal opinion was that they wel-e law-abiding, and should be allowed to go to the front. If they.wore.to.be segregated (which he did not favour) they should be nivon road work in the far north at soldiers' pay. He did not consider the aliens a menace to the community. At Kaikfthe the Slavs were very friendly, and generously assisted the patriotic funds. The alien

class compared favourably with the Bri- ; tish. . > j Alfred Harding drew attention to a re- I port in the Auckland "Herald" of Thurf- : day legaiding Lite proceedings in L'arlia- | incut, when (liscu.-,sin& aliens. He. win- | sidsred the position cruel, and tuggcstei: | Unit a telegram should be sent to t lie ; .I'rime Minister asking Parliament to sits- : pend judgment ponding tlie decision of : Um Commission. . _ j .Mr. Poynton said the Commission eouj:l i take no action. The subject was »ul> j jud-ice, but the Chamber of Cummerc-.! | could conn:]iiiiiL'nic with Uil> Government. ; Tlio Commission adjourned until to- j morrw, when it will sit at Kailui. I