ALIEN CONSCRIPTION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 144, 7 March 1918, Page 4

ALIEN CONSCRIPTION

POSITION OF NEW ZEAIiANDERS IN THE STATES. The Hon. G. W. Russell, Minister of Internal Affairs, in a recont interview, referred to a matter which is of great publio interest, dealing as it does with the question of conscription of British subjects residing in certain Allied countries. ' _ The Minister mentioned that a recent case had come under his notice of' a young man, a former resident of Christchurch, ana at present residing at St. LouiSj'U.S.A., he having proceeded to America for the purpose of a oollego course and also to gain certain business experience. Having completed his course .lie was desirous of returning to New Zealand, but meanwhile was drawn in the first alien draft under the United States military Jaw. 1 Briefly the position is as follows: — The Imperial Government recently passed an Act entitled the Military Service (Conventions with Allied States) Act, 1917, wherein, among other thingßj provision is made to enable His Majeaty-m-Couneil to carry into effect conventions which may be made with Allied and other States as to tho mutual liability of His Majesty's subjects and subjects of the Allied and other States to military service. _ It is provided in the Act that His Majesty may, by Order-in-Ooimcil, direct regarding the carrying out of the provisions of conventions made with another country, provided that no such I Order-in-Connoil shall be made unless tho convention secures to His Majesty s Ambassador or other public Minister in the contracting country power to grant to British subjects in that country exemption from military service, and such Ambassador or Minister snail grant such exemption in any-case where a British subject proves that ho is not domiciled in the contracting, country and that before proceeding to the contracting country be was ordinarily resident in some part of His Majesty s Dominions 'other than Great Britain. • Advice has been reeeivcd_that .agreements have been entered into on the subject between the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Russia, and a cablegram which recently appeared ill the Press indicates that an agreement lias been made with the United States. So far however, official advice has not been received respecting this agreeraprovision is made in each of the agreements that if the persons liable to service refuse after due notice to return to their own country they will be compelled to undertake military service in the country of their residence unless tliev can furnish documents delivered bv their diplomatic or Consular authorities certifying their exemption from military sefvice. , , It is suggested that those interested should, if in any doubt as to their legal responsibilities, communicate with tie British Ambassador resident in tne countiT in which they are residing at. present. -