ENEMY ALIENS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 273, 7 August 1918, Page 6

ENEMY ALIENS

Sir,—The majority of fair-minded peopie in the Dominion will no doubt agree that it would be unnecessary ;ind unwise, if not actually unjust, to intern all enemy aliens without exception, but there is no reason why the Government should delay the adoption of some comprehensive and effective precautionary measure and wait until 'individuals show themselves to iijp disloyal or dangerous to the community. It is the "wait and see" policy that is appnreii'.ly being followed, even now after low vcais of war, and of our experience of anainy activities m ibis distant part of the Empire, which has caused such widespread dissatisfaction, and is now leading' to resolutions being passed by so many public bodies calling for the internment of all enemy aliens. *

It is, of course, easy for the Government to call for reports from the police concerning all enemy aliens in their districts, but I would submit that such a method would not Iμ a satisfactory one in a matter of this kind, as we 'may be sure that in a great many cases the polico would only get , non-committal answers which would very probaW.y lead to many persons, who slioul.l be interned escaping, and in many other cases answers might bo prompted by personal feeling, thus leading to the internment of some who might not deserve such treatment, the authorities in Wellington having necessarily to bo (raided mainly by the polico reports. I venture to give ttin folio Ting rough outline of a plan which it seems to me would meet the position us regards saving timo in operation, allaying the public feeling in the matter, insuring thorough investigation, and justice to all concerned. I suggest that alien eiwmy investigation boards be convened throughout the DoMinion in the cities, boroughs, and coun. try districts, to bo composed as follow :— Chairman.—The chairman of Oio county council or the Mayor, as the cuee may

be. Members.—One legal member, preferably a stipendiary magistrate, if one is nva'ilablo; ii military iffiesr, representing tho Defence Department; four of the lending members of the community, representing' the chief interasts in the locality. Tho local chief of police lo produce to the board tho (registration papers of the enemy aliens in his district who have registered under the Act, with any-re-mark concerning them which he may 'have to offer.

The iboard to have powjr to summon, if necessary, the attendance of pny aliens for examination, or any other persona whose evidence may bo required. . r t would, however, probibly * nly be neceseary for these powers to be exercised in a. few cases. The board to report to the Government at Wellington tho names < f the enemy aliens recommended for internment. If there 'be any great difficulties in forming these boards, it is suggested that the local Efficiency. Board be employed for tho purpose. In this connection I should like to offer a few remarks with regard to the statement of the Hon. Sir James Allen that tho forcing of persons who were civilians to perform work of national utility could not bo done is the Government had received ad rice ; rom the Imperial authorities on that matter. I certainly think this adviea cannot be of recent date, and may perhaps have been received during tlu» first year of the war, as on May 13 last in the House of Commons, Sir George Cave stated that tho particulaiM of all male enemy subjects exempted from internment or repatriation, including Uko.-sanu their cmploveas, have been lodged with the National Service Department, with a view to their placing thsss men in work of national utility. It would appear, therefore, that there is no reason why similar action could not be taken in New Zea'and.-I am, etc " J. L. WHEELER. (Co\., retired). Havelock North, August 2.