AN INTERNED PRIEST

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1920, Page 4

AN INTERNED PRIEST

CAUSED A RUCTION. AUSTRALIAN A N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] (Received this day at 8 a.m.) SYDNEY, May 28. During the war Father Jerger, a Romanist priest, was placed in a. German internment camp. Beyond the fact of his being of German nationality other reasons if any existed were not disclosed] The Roman Church authorities at the time made an inefficient protest against internment of a priest. The fixing of Jerger’s deportation for a date early in June revived the ease and led to strong protests from Catholic Societies and representations to the Federal authorities not to carry the deportation into effect. Among others the Cord Mayor Fitzgerald has taken a prominent part in the' movement. Deputations sent to Melbourne interviewed Mr Hughes to urge the non-deporta-tion, before Jerger was given an oo'on trial and in support of this a demonstration was arranged for in Moore Park. The agitation has led to much heart burning and press correspondence against the easing of treatment against Germans, or allowing ;e----ligious aspects to interfere in the case This led to ReturnedJßoldiers and Sailors .Association organising a counter demonstration in the park with a. view of impressing on the Federal Government- the necessity of not relaxing theregulations for deportation of Germans or permitting anything savouring of disloyalty. 150 thousand people attended the meeting. The speakers against deportation included Ryan (Lord Mayor) and the' Attorney-Gene-ral. After carrying a. resolution in favour of deportation, the soldiers counted the other meeting out and then rushed the platform waving Union Jacks and rolled the sneakers off. They in turn were attacked, the proceedings at one time verging on a serious riot .