ENEMY ALLENS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 January 1920, Page 3

ENEMY ALLENS

EXPULSION ADVOCATED. AUCKLAND, Jan. 25. Resolutions urging the deportation of all aliens who were interned during the war, and the prohibition or control of German trade were carried on Friday evening by overwhelming majorities at a public meeting convened by the Mayor at the instance of the Auckland Returned Soldiers’ Association. Some 300 to

, 400 people were present. The minority J included tire common brand of international Socialists, idealists, and the ! pro-German element itself. The last mentioned were not behind the Socialists in indicating their feelings, vigorously applauding the sentimenJs of those who opposed the action advocated, Some of these people, occupying prominent positions in the hall, were heard: to make audible comments during the anti-German speeches, which indicated frank disloyalty to the British. The Mayor presided, ' and he was supported on the platform by a number cf members of the City Council, and the whole executive of the Auckland Returned Soldiers’ Association.

Mr W. J. Holdsworth, City Councillor, moved:—“That this meeting views with apprehension the presence in our midst of enemy aliens, and asks the Government to secure the deportation of all those whom it was found necessary to intern during the war, even if it is deemed necessary by doing so, to take over any real estate possessed by them.” In a striking speech he pointed out that Germany had. not expressed any regret for her atrocities, and lie urged that the . presence of aliens in our midst was a standing menace.

An amendment:—“That the meeting had insufficient evidence on the matter to come to a decision, and awaited a pronouncement by ithe British Government,” was moved by a member of the audience. This was greeted with some applause, and a great deal of opposition. The mover stated that the war was being viewed from a new point of view in many quarters. A remark about giving full justice and liberty to our late enemies produced booing and lauglrter, and the Mayor had to appeal for order. The mover admitted that Germany had shown deplorable morals during the. war, but that was no reason'why they should depart from a high standard of international eitliics(Laughter). The amendment was lost and tile motion carried by a very large majority amid cheers.

Mr A. Hall Skelton moved:—“That having regard to the atrocities perpetrated in the invaded territories by the German and Austrian troops during the late war, and to the systematic, plunder and destruction of the means of future production, the Government be urged to prohibit the importation into New Zealand of goods of late enemy manufacture or should this lie deemed impracticable, that a substantial surtax lie imposed thereon, and adequate measures taken for the ready identification by the public of such goods when offered for sale.” He ridiculed the sentiment which favoured-the hand of fellowship being extended to the Germans, who were the same “Huns” as those of the Roman period—(applause and expressions of disgust ir; a quarter of the hall).

In seconding the motion ill- E. W. Inder said that the motion affirmed the same principle as that of the resolution carried. They must not only exclude enemy aliens, hut' their goods as well. In regard to the indemnity argument, he asked if they were going to put. 5s in Germany’s pocket so that she might pay 2s 6d in the indemnify payment, for the indemnity could be had in coal, basic slag, and similar products. Merchants had told him that they would not stock German goods again If all merchants so agreed, and were hacked up by the people, the object was achieved.

An amendment was moved by Mr W. Lee, a returned soldier, expressing the view that while adequate measures should be taken to identify goods, the meeting considered that prohibition of German imports was economically impracticable, morally unsound, and certain to sow the seeds of hate and future wars. Mr O. Barton, also a returned soldier, seconded the amendment, stating that the matter had to he. considered front the intellectual point of view It was the. duty of New Zealand, to support the decisions of the Peace Conference, which had not prohibited German trade. (Cheers and “boos”).

Speaking to the motion, Major G. R. Hutchinson described the deliberate system of destruction of machinery by the Germans in France. Personal inspection showed that an explosive laid been attached to every loom to destroy the vital parts of the machines. The owners had assured him that it would take two years to obtain new machines, and thus 10,000 operatives had been thrown out of the industry. “They can’t go straight,” declared the speaker. “They can’t plnv cricket. Can we he true to those left behind if we extend 'the hand of fellowship so soon and trade with Germany? We fought this war so that our children mi gift he spared its horrors.. You will hurry these horrors again if we again allow Germany to gain commercial supremacy.” (Coud applause). The amendment was defeated, and the motion carried by a large majority. It has been proposed that a V igilanco Committee, composed of representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Returned Soldiers’ Association should he set up to give effect to the resolutions.