Boer Prisoners.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 329, 1 February 1902, Page 1

Boer Prisoners.

(Christchurch Press.)

If, as suggested, the residents of the Chatham Islands are desirous that a depot of Boer prisoners should be established on the islands, we see no objection whatever, provided certain safeguards are imposed. We should object in the strongest manner to the establishment of a Boer special settlement in New Zealand on Crown lands required for our own sons, or to their being added to our floating population in a promiscuous sort of way, and expected to shift for themselves. All the same if, as is said to be the case, the Home Government is experiencing some difficulty in disposing of Boer prisoners of war, we should be glad to help them out of their embarrassment if it could be done without injury to our own interests. The Chatham Island sug-

gestion seems the most feasible proposal which has as yet been made with this end in view. We take it that the object is merely to intern the prisoners for a certain time, and that tho Imperial Government would be responsible for them when their period of 'military detention was over. During their stay on the islands, there is no doubt that it would lead to the local expenditure of a good deal of money, and it would add to the life of the place, and necessitate more frequent means of communication between the islands and the mainland. It is possible that it might be found practicable to settle a certain number of the Boers permanently on land acquired for that purpose on the islands. On this point we should want to know exactly what is proposed, however, beforo committing ourselves definitely to the project, but an important aspect of'the case is that the Chathan Islands wonld be benefited by an influx of population, and that up to the present young New Zealanders have not shown any strong desire 1 to go there. The proposal is one which our Government might very well take into serious consideration, and consult tho Chatham Islanders about. Needless to say we think that whatever is done should be done only with the full consent of the present residents in the group.