ENEMY ALIENS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 79, 29 December 1919, Page 4

ENEMY ALIENS

DEPORTATION URGED BY RETURNED SOLDIERS. Br Teleiraph—Prcim AMoclitlon. Auckland, December 27. Tho deportation of all Germans interned in New Zealand was urged by tho executive committee of the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association in a deputation to'tho Postmaster-General. Tho deputation instanced tho case of Dr. Engletsberger, who was given telcphona facilities within a short period of applying, while returned soldiers were refused a connection. Mr. Coatcs expressed sympathy with the views of the committee in the matter. He said a mistake had undoubtedly been made in regard to granting Enghtsbergcr a telephone, but it would ' not' occur again. With regard to interned Germans, Mr. Coates asked the deputation if it would approve of discretionary powers in tho matter, as there would bo cases of hardship, where, for example, a man had a wife and family. He quito agreed that New Zealand could not tolerate such a positoion of affairs as existed in England in regard to Germans. The deputation .emphatically replied that every internee was interned for a substantial reason; that jjcing so, all must be deported. Tho speakers admitted there might l>e difficulties and hardships, but felt there could bo 110 other course open, otherwise New Zealand's sacrifice had been in vain. Mr. Coatcs noted this statement, and promised to take up the matter as soon as possible. The deputation also protested against the continued importation and sale of German goods. In replying, Mr. Coates said the matters wouid probably bo remedied when tho Customs tariff was revised, which must be soon. Under existing legislation the Government had power to put 011 an additional tax of 1 up to 50 per cent, ad valorem, but there were proposals on foot to increase this in certain eases. The result would be that preference would bo given to troods manufactured within the Empire, "while a prohibitive duty could be placed on German and Austrian articles. It was quite evident that. Germany could afford to pay 50 per cent, in many cases, but increased taxation on tho linos indicated would effectively deal even with these articles. •The deputation urged that the law should 'be amended making it compulsory for every seller to announce to buyers' the enemy origin, of any goods being sold. Mr. Coates noted. tho suggestion, and promised to take up the matter.