WAR LEGISLATION BILL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 47, 20 November 1918, Page 4

WAR LEGISLATION BILL

COMPLAINT BY JUGO-SLAVS. Complaint that the War Legislation Bill introduced by the Prime .Minister in the House of Representatives several days ago is aimed at the Jugo-Slav community in New Zealand was made on Saturday by Mr. J. Vella, of Oratia, says the "New Zealand -Herald." among oilier things, the Bill deals with the acquisition of land by persons of "enemyorigin." Mr. Vella said that Jugo-Slavs were not specifically mentioned in the Bill, but he inferred thS/ were subject to its.provisions! If this proved to be the case, he considered it would be a piece of unjust oppression, especially as many Jugo-Slavs had sons and relatives serving with the Allied forces. Mr. Vella said he was a naturalised British subject, and had held land at Oratia for the past sixteen years. According to the provisions of the Bill, if lie now sold his laud he would have to secure a license from the Government before he could take up any other land. Many Jugo-Slavs in New Zealand wore settlers of many years' standing. If the Bill was put into operation against Jugo-Slavs, and the Government could, with the payment of compensation, ;onfiscate their lands, it would result in these men leaving the country. From an-economic point of view this was undesirable. A much wiser policy 'would be to leave such good settlers in the country.