ALIENS IN BRITAIN

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 254, 15 July 1918, Page 6

ALIENS IN BRITAIN

AN IMPORTANT STATEMENT

NEW PROPOSALS

„ ■ . London, ,r u lv 12. bpcakmg m tho House of Commons during tho debate on tho treatment of aliens, Sir George Cave, Secretary of stale for Homo Affairs, asked tho House to give serious and cool attention to tho subject. He admitted that there was much public anxiety on the question, but it was largely due to inadequate knowledge. Stcp3 had already been taken to protect the country against (he alien danger. Ho disagreed with the indiscriminate internment of enemy aliens, but said that central committees would be asked to carefully review and drastically revise the exemptions, and to givo reasons for their decisions, livery enemy alien would thus be interned except where strong reason existed for his exemption. It was also proposed to,- review all naturalisation certificates granted since tho war began. No person not a natural-born British subject will Ik allowed to change his .■■Mo except under license. The prolii- ' i-.m wil.' operate retrospectively. Dmr-

•;. the war no -person should be emp.cyed in a Government office unless he was the child of natural born British subjects, except for definite national reasons. Many undesirable aliens had already been deported, and the Government intended to rid the country of undesirables. Regarding enemy tanks, the Government proposed to apply to the Court immediately for a winding-up ardor, and also to introduce legislation to prohibit enemy banks in Britain for a period of years after the war. He pointed out that except in the early weeks of the war, spies had not been found among enemy subjects, but wero of other nationalities. Aliens other than enemies wero already. registered, and their movements wero restricted, but it was proposed to make the system of identity books general.

Regarding the recommendations of the Committee of the House of Commons, Sir George Cave 6aid ho agreed that many exemptions were given early in tho war at a time of great pressure, and it was thereforo not unreasonable to suggest that the list might be carefully revised. Where exemptions were granted after a new investigation, the records would be available to the public. Kegartling the review of tho naturalisation certificates, a Bill had already been introduced which would enable them to deal with tho question; but the certificates would bo reviewed, including those granted during the war. Sir George Cave concluded that since the war began no patents had been granted to enemy subjects. Over 500 enemy businesses had beon wound up, and many had been transferred to British ownership.

Mr. Hugh Williams urged that if a tribunal decided that an alien should not be exempted, a, Government office should not bo allowed to revise the decision.

Mr. Lloyd George said the debate showed that the Rouse generally accepted Si:r George Cave's propositions. They would be carried out vigorously and rigorously, and without unfairness. He promised that the tribunal would be strong and impartial, and that no personal coiw siderations would be allowed to interfere with the public interest. There was never a British set-back, he eaid, after which lie did not get numerous letters H'Oin Germans in Britain, crowing over the eet-back. This sort of thing must brt stopped. The reasons for exempting aliens employed in Government Departments would not be published. They were rendering conspicuous services to the country, and had been extremely helpful. Tn case of war, the country must bo given the benefit of tho doubt; even to the point of individual hardship. Wo must not enter into competition with the Germans in inhumanity and injustice; that would : degrade our flag; but wo must not commit tho folly of overIrusbfulness to the extent of endangering the country we loved 80 well.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

ALIENS BILL EXPLAINED

(Rec. July U, 5.5 p.m.)

London, Julv 12, In the House of Commons Sir George Cave, in moving the second readiug of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Bill, said that all the eelf-govern-ing Dominions and India, excepting Australia, had approved of the draft, but Australia indicated no dissent. The main purpose of the Bill was to give wider powers to revoke naturalisation certificates. The Bill did not deal with the many difficult questions in connection with the law of nationality, tut ho hoped that tho policy of making nationality laws had not been abandoned. The Government proposed to refer the question to an advisory committee of experts. Tho Bill empowered the Home Secretary to revoke naturalisation certificates where fraudulently obtained, and also to rovoko certificates of disloyal persons, criminals, notorious bad characters, and persons who had lived abroad for seven years. The Bill was read. a second tinie.Reuter.