THE UNNATURALISED GERMAN

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 21, 20 October 1919, Page 5

THE UNNATURALISED GERMAN

DISCUSSED BY R.S.A,

FRESH LEGISLATION

WANTED

EXCLUSION OF ALIEN GOODS

The conference of the New Zealand ' Returned Soldiers' Association yesterday devoted attention to the question of i naturalised and unnaturalised Germans. Mr. A. B. Sievwright (Wellington) moved a remit that legislation against linnaturalised Germans be passed by Parliament. He contended that tho present legislation was. far too loose. No linnaturalised Germans should hold land in tho country of their adoption. It was known that when Germans settled 'abroad they (lid so solely in the 'interests of tlio "Fatherland."

Mr. T. Long (Auckland) seconded the motion, and referred to the case of Professor von Zedlitz. He mentioned that when the Auckland Association heard that' il was proposed that ho should be. reinstated in his pre-war occupation, they passed -ft-resolution, strongly protesting against such a coursc. He trusted that conference would approve of that . attitude by passing this reipit. Those delegates who had read the story about Count von Luckner > would well realise the position. A voico: Where did tie escape from? Mr. Lon? did not take any notice of the interjection, but he desired to impress upon delegates that there wero in the country, a large number of wealthy unnaturalised Germans, who were capable of doing a tremendous amount of harm to tho community. He suggested that these same Germans were no doubt conccrned in the equipment and subsequent escape. The big. wealthy, unnaturalised Germans were allowed their liberty, and no steps were taken till three years after the war broke out to intern them, A voice: "Shame." ■ These same men, continued the speaker, were capable of doing a tremendous amount of harm, and there werg many of them still at large. Should' tho soldiers of this country fight for the country, and while away allow these nien to wreak all the harm-possible, and at the same time be allowed to profiteer? Ho trusted that conference would • seo that the remit was carried unanimously.

Mr, Sievwright suggested that an addition should be made to- the remit that unnaturalised late enemies of the King should be excluded from residence in the Dominion unless they were prepared to become naturalised. Mr Long pointed out that notwithstanding that Germans became naturalised British subjects-they did not lose their (Jermau nationality. Mr. Kievwr'sht tlieii said that the Parliamentary (Committee should consider the questiou as to whether unnaturalised Germans, or subjects of the enemy countries, should be allowed to take up land, 'or occupy Government positions, in this country. The motion was carried with the addition of the words, "and late enemy aliens." ' J Jr. Sievwright then moved, on behalf of the 'Wellington Association: "That tho Customs tariff be 60 altered as to practically lexnlude alien enemy goods." New Zealand, he said, shoul<l not tolerate tho "dumping" of Germans goods in tho Dominion. Mr. E. F. Andrews (Auckland) seconded the remit. After discussion. Mr. Sievwright added the flollowing words to the -iremit: "Whether directly or indirectly from late enemy countries." Durinjj tho course of the ensuing discussion it was pointed out that Germany could only pay her indemnity in goods, and that it' restrictive legislation were passed against her sho would be ablo to trnde with her late allies only, and thus not be nble to pay the indemnity, Messrs. J. D. Harper (Wellington) and V. Potter (Auckland) both favoured preference being given to British goods. . The remit was carried.