LIABILITY TO SERVE

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 15, 13 October 1942, Page 4

LIABILITY TO SERVE

Unnaturalized Aliens

Editorial reference was made in yesterday’s “Dominion” to the Government s decision to place unnaturalized aliens on the same footing as New Zealand nationals in respect, to civilian service obligations, thus bringing all aliens under the control of the National bervee Department. In adopting this course> the Government has followed the lead Hom Ln„ land, whgre the authorities have even gone farther. A cable message from London received last week has # general bearing on the subject. It reads as “From the moment of (he arrival of the Polish Army in Great Britain, in July, 1940, there has been recruiting in the United Kingdom lor volunteers for the Polisli Army. Till recently, the state ot affairs in Great Britain was such that the British authorities did accord executve rights to any of the 4 1 . 110 ". 1 - ernmenta in Great Brita in with he result that those who avoided, reporting to the consular recruiting committees, or entering the ranks of the I olish or other Allied armies, though conscripted, were on v subject to the limited.sanctions aped bv such authorities in the sphere of consular protection or citizenship. I' or some months “Sgotiatious have bemi pioceeding between the Polish and Butisli authorities in connexion with ths very unsatsfactory state of affairs and have resulted in the removal of the unjust situation which hitherto .existed.. “Last June the following project was laid before the British Parliament at the -su-eSiou of the Bolish Government regarding compulsory military service tor afl citizens of Allied countries:—Citizens of foreign countries, belonging to the United Nations, were to be called up by the Brtish authorities to fulfil military unwind in their respective armies h, however, they refused to fulfil this duty thov would be compelled to join the British Pioneer Corps. This project has already been passed by the House of Commons, and is at present before the House of Lords. When it is passed by the latter, and signed by the King, R will become law. The British Government will then discuss the details of application vvitli the Polish Government.