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The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1917. ALIENS AND CONSPIRACY

It was demonstrated in tho course of a brief discussion i|i the House of Representatives yesterday that some aspects of the alien enemy problem have not yet received in this country the attention and treatment they demand. The fact was brought out that we are far from having shaped what could be regarded as a safe and comprehensive policy in dealing with enemy aliens and possible enemy sympathisers. The discussion turned upon the case of a man of German parentage,, who lost his employment as a result of being called in tho ballot, though he had not been, admitted into camp. Another caso was mentioned—that of a man who has been called in the ballot, though it is alleged that he had blatantly affirmed his German nationality and sympathies. This man, if the facts arc as stated, is presumably at large through a detail oversight— an oversight which should be speedily rectified—but there should be no question as to tho right method of dealing with men of suspected or possible enemy antecedents whatever their personal attitude may bo. Tho keynote of the only rational policy to adopt was struck in yesterday's discussion by the member for Grey Lynn. "You don't want," he said, "to take any risks." This is sound sense, and as it happens there aro no very serious difficulties to bo overcome in instituting a policy which will meet the case. What is needed to round off the measures already takeu in dealing with enemy aliens is some. method of disposing for the war period of men whom it is not considered necessary or desirable to intern in the ordinary way. There is a fairly numerous body of men of enemy descent whom it would most certainly ho wrong to admit into tho Expeditionary Force. Many of them, no doubt, perhaps the great majority, aro loyal British subjects, but the distinct possibility that some of them may bo disloyal is much too serious to be overlooked. We have to consider not only the danger that would ariso from passing men in this category into tho Expeditionary Force, but the equally apparent danger that some ot them may find an opportunity of serving the enemy while they aro at largo in the civil community. In addition, it is plainly unjust that they should be enabled Lo profit by the absencc of their fellow-citizens who aro serving in the field. A satisfactory solution of tho whole problem raised would bo found in employing these men on Stato development works, where thc.v could bo grouped and kept under observation. Paid at the same rate as soldiers; and granted the same provision for their dependants, if they liavo any, they would have, no cause of complaint, whether they aro loyal or disloyal. Those of them who are loyal should, indeed, welcome such an opportunity of rendering an equivalent for military service, ;md should regard it as a fair compromise in tho peculiar circumstances iu which tlicy arc placctl.

Apart from its other merits, this plan would give effect to the sound doctrine of taking no risks by very greatly limiting tho possibilities of enemy conspiracy in this country. In particular, it would appreciably fortify the measures taken to checkmate and defeat enemy conspiracies against overseas shipping. In singling out those to be grouped and kept under observation, the authorities should procced on tho plan of taking nothing for granted whero the question of nationality is concerned. A numb6r of cases havo come to light recently in which men who have more or less definitely betrayed enemy sympathies havo claimed Russian, Dutch, or other Allied or neutral nationality. Enemy agents, of course, frequently assume a fictitious nationality, and in sonio cases men professing Allied or neutral nationality may be as fit_ subjects for restraint and observation as those who acknowledge enemy descent. Adopting tho policy here outlined, the Government would round off and" supplement in important particulars tlie measures it is wisely taking to afford increased protefction to overseas shipping. A partial indication of these measures, which cannot, of course, be disclosed in their details, is given in the announcement that as from Monday next War Regulations will bo enforced on tho Wellington wharves, under which all_ aliens or naturalised British subjects, no matter of what race, will bo excluded from employment on overseas ships unless they have obtained licences. This undoubtedly is action in the right direction. But while tho authorities may find on investigation that some men in tho categorj r _ named aro entitled to be licensed it may not bo enough in tho case of others merely to cxcludo them from employment on overseas steamers. Tho safe policy of keeping suspected or even possibly disloyal individuals under observation should not be applied only to men of military age. It is in connection with overseas shipping that tho danger of enemy action in this country is most apparent, and reccnt cxpcncncc has amply demonstrated the reality ana imminence of tho danger. Remote as we arc from the heart of the world-conflict, the still unexplained disappearance of tho Wairuna, the fate of tho Port Kembla and other ships, and latterly the revelation that a minefield has been laid by some means in the near neighbourhood of the Australian coast, sufhciently illustrate and emphasise tho necessity of taking every possible precaution against enemy conspiracy and outrage. Altnough our treatment of enemy aliens and possible enemy sympathisers is in some respects slack and open to 'criticism, the Government seems now to bo acting with energy and determination where the immediate problem of protecting shipping is concerned. Shortcomings in the ruins and procedure until recently m vogue, which were laid bare by a>e Wairuna- Court of Inquiry, arc indicated in the following recommendations, to which the Government was asked to give serious and urgent consideration: 1 That stricter precautions be taken to prevent the approach of unauthorised pel-sons lo vessels and wharves. 2. That si rioter precautions be taken to prevent undesirable men being employeu on vessels and wharves.

3. Tliat firms having members of nlien enemy nationality bo not permitted to ship goods. •t. That all persons going on board vessels bo searched, and all lugfiiigo lo be taken oil to vessels be examined.

5. That all cargo for shipment be packed under Government supervision, and bo retained thereafter under Government control until shipped.

C. That if there are eases whero compliance with the immediately preceding recommendation is not practicable, in such cases the packages be retained in Government control for an indefinite time before shipment.

The Government is giving immediate effcct to tho recommendations regarding the control of wharves and wharf labour, and it is to be hoped that it will also speedily adopt the precautions rccommcnded in regard to luggage and cargo. The suggestion that where the packing of cargo cannot be supervised tho packages should be retained in Government control for an indefinite time before shipment seems to be particularly deserving of attention. Carried out, it should overcome one of the most serious obstacles to completely effective supervision of the loading of ships. It is stated that precautions on all Commonwealth , wharves, which already were somewhat severe, have been made of late so stringent that it would appear almost impossible for anyone to get through the guard without authority. At least as high a standard of control must be set in this country. If the Govcnir mttit of Australia and the Government of this country do their duty it should be possible to reduce to exceedingly narrow limits the working scope of enemy conspiracy in this part of the world. But the problem most certainly demands unrclaxing vigilance and energy. We are dealing with an utterly unscrupulous enemy in a state of desperation. Her declining fortunes in the war will undoubtedly make Germany more than ever determined to use her elaborate and far-reaching organisation for the promotion of conspiracy and outrage in any part of the world where an opportunity of doing so appears. Ships and wharves must be efficiently guarded and controlled, and the closest possible supervision must be exercised over the packing and shipment of cargo. But a completely effective policy demands in addition the grouping and observation under the conditions wo have suggested of those who may reasonably be regarded as possible enemy sympathisers.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19171017.2.12

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 19, 17 October 1917, Page 4

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,395

The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1917. ALIENS AND CONSPIRACY Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 19, 17 October 1917, Page 4

The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1917. ALIENS AND CONSPIRACY Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 19, 17 October 1917, Page 4

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