LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3169, 21 August 1917, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

THE.CENTLE GERMAN IN OUR MIDST

Sir,—ln view of the reports that there are numbers of Germans (and (jermans who represent themselves us Danes) iu the country, particularly tho agricultural districts—just tho class of men who would iced any form of local discontent—it would lie interesting to know how niuny adult Germans, men and women, there are. in New Zealand, and how many of them nro interned. Like, other British countries we have, been apt to think that tho German who is amongst us is quite a good fellow, who is entirely above- suspicion, yet in other English-speaking countries factories have been wrecked, bridges blown up, and steamers have mysteriously disappeared at sea. Two steamers well known in these waters were lost in the Pacific not very long ago—one by fire, the other by some unknown cause. Yet sumo people regard thoso who cry out for general internment of all Germans as something too savage to contemplate. Indeed, the. German Government officials from Samoa interned at Auckland aro paid a salary by our Government, from which they are able to pay any reasonable and explainable charges. In the meantime, the cable tells us that our prisoners of war are being allowed to die of starvation in Germany. Truly, for our wanton innocence and ignorance in dealing with these cunning people wo <!«scrvo many of the knocks we get below tnu belt, by not "counting them out" in the first instance. Only recently a case was mentioned where a man, admitieuly' recently from Milcswig-Ilolstein (which is Germany) had his papers vised by a Sinister oi the Crown, and in due course secured a job in the country, replacing one who hud gone to the war. This man is said to have been heard not once, but several times, to express ilis contempt for all things British, and his admiration for all things German. AVhen tho case was mentioned in the House by Mr. E. A. Wrigiit, the only answer given was to quoto the regulations governing passports, not a vigorous business-like inquiry about the man and what he has been known to say in the hearing of his fellow-workers. Why are inu Ciernians on Jlotuilii allowed the. liberty they are, whilst their compatriots ravage the Belgian towns, and tl-rng one heroic young Belgian athlete through the town to be spat upon by the German invaders. In short—when is this alleged "National" Government going to show that it is "national" in its detestatiou of the enemy.—l am, etc., JACK BULL.