SONS OF ALIENS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 145, 8 March 1918, Page 4

SONS OF ALIENS

$ WHAT SHOULD BE DONE. At yesterday's meeting of tbo Advisory Board of the Patriotic Societies the following communication from the 'J'/iranaki Society was read:—"You are no doubt aware that in certain parts of this district there are a considerable number of alien-born subjects, and the following letter, which has been received from the Tnriki Patriotic Society, indicates to some extent the unrest which is being caused' in this district. The executive of this association realises that the Defend} Department and military authorities are acting in the best interests ir. accepting some of these sons of alien parents for service nnd rojeoting others, but they consider that the men who are rejected should not be placed in such a position that they receive an advantage by being allowed to return to their farms and reap all the benefits of citizenship while other men are forced to give rip their farms at a considerable sacrifice and join the Forces." The letter from the Tnriki Society (which was written to the Stratford Society) Tend:—"The Tnriki Society has written the Hon. Minister of Defence asking for an explanation as to why the sons of alien-bom parents of both Rer.man'and Polish origin are returned from camp without any reason after being passed medically fit and underaoing a course of training. Wβ would like your support in this matter, as it is causing much bitterness - in' and around' this district." The Taranaki Society forwarded to the' Advisory Board the following remit, which it suggested the board should adopt:—"That this association represent to the Advisorv Board the desirability of some satisfactory explanation being obtained ro sons of alien-born parents heing discharged from camp when they have undergone ft course of training and are apparently fit ; and that such men should not receivp all tho benefits of citizenship when other men are forced to join the Forces, m manv cases at considerable personal, sacrifice. That the matter he referred j ! to the Minister with a view to settling i the public bitterness_ and unrest which j is heine: caused re this matter." j Members of the board thought that j the men referred to should be given i some useful work to do here, and it was decided that a sub-committee should interview the Minister of Defence. ■