THE ALIEN QUESTION.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 July 1918, Page 4

THE ALIEN QUESTION.

DISCUSSION IN COMMONS

PRIME MINISTER’S VIEWS

[pER press association.— copyright.]

London, July 12

In tlie House of Commons Sir G. Cave, moving the second reading of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Bill, said that all selfgoverning Dominions and India, excepting Australia, had approved of the draft, but Australia had indicated no dissent. The main purpose of the Bill was to give wider powers to revoke Naturalisation- The Certificates Bill did not deal with many difficult questions in connection with the law of nationality, hut he hoped that the policy of making nationality laws would not lie abandoned. Tlie Government proposed to reft r the question to an Advisory Committee of experts. The Bill empowmrd the Home Secretary to revoke Naturalisation cert in cates, where iriuideutly obtained ; also to revoke certificates of discharged persons who had lived abroad for seven years. Ihe Bill was read a second time.

In the House of Commons, during the Aliens Debate, the Si* - G. Cave asked the House to give its serious and cool attention to the matter. He admitted that there was much public anxiety on this question, but it was largely due to inadequate knowledge. Steps had already been taken to protect the country against the alien danger.

Sir George Cave disagreed with the indiscriminate Internment of (he enemy aliens, but the Central Committers would lie asked to ouefnlly r vkw and drastically revise existing oxen)pt-ioi.s, nil I <p yo roiisons lor ;.heir decisionH. Tlierefoi e, every alien would he interned, except where there was strong t eason for exemption. Al-o a proposed review of naturalisation certificates granted since tlie war. No person not a natural born Britisher will be allowed to change his name, excppt under a license. Prohibition operates retrospectively.

' It is also announced that no person, during tlie war, should be employed in Government offices, unless a child of a natural Britisher, or except for definite national reasons. Many undesirable aliens have already been deported. The Government, intends to rid the country of undesirables . Regarding enemy banks the Government proposed to apply to the Court immediately, for a winding up order; also to introduce legislation prohibiting enemy bunks in Britain for the period of a year after the war.

Sir G, Cave pointed out that except in the early weeks of the war, spies had not been found among enemy subjects, but in other nationalities. Aliens other than enemies, were already registered and their movements restricted, but it is proposed to make the system of identity books general. Hon Sir G. Gave, in the House of Commons, continuing, said that regarding tie Hqnse of Commons Committees’ recommendations, he agreed that many aliens’ exemptions had been granted early in the war, at the time of great, pressure, therefore, it was not unreasonable to suggest that the 1 i-1 might be carefully revised, where exemptions had been granted. After reiuvestigation, tlie records would be available for the public.

Regarding the review the Naturalisation Bill which had been would enable them to deal with the ’i question, but certificates would b.e reviewed, including those granted during the war. Mr Cave concluded that since the war no patents had been granted to enemies Over five hundred enemy businesses had been wound up, and many transferred to British ownership.

AIT Hugh Williams urged that if the tribunal decided the aliens should not be exempted, the Government office should not be allowed to revise its decision.

The Hon Lloyd George said the debate generally accepted Mr Cave’s propositions, which would be carried out vigorously, rigorously, and without unfairness, and he promised that the tribunal would be a strong and impartial one, and no personal considerations would be allowed to interfere with the public inteiest. There never was a British set back, he said, after which I don’t get numerous letfors from Germans in Britain, crowing over the set back. This soit, of thing must be stopped. The reasons for exempting aliens employed in Government Departments would not, be published. Concluding, he said that in any case during the war, the connt.ry must be given the benefit of the doubt, even to the point of individual hardship. We must not enter into competition with German inhumanity and injustice that would degrade our flag, but we must not commit the folly of over-trustfulness to the extent of endangering the country we loved so well.