SWISS IN TARANAKI.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 June 1916, Page 6

SWISS IN TARANAKI.

MOPPING UP THE LAND.

ALLEGATIONS OP DISLOYALTY.

Writes "Britisher" to the Hawera Star:—When the Military Service Bill has been passed there will be no scope for thousands of young men, w'lio must march off (i°f needs be) to'keep the flag flying. This new law applies only to British subjects, and the consequence will be that the farm lands will in many instances, and the artisan employment also, pass into the hands of Swiss, or, as I prefer to call them, aliens. They (the Swiss) are becoming by fnr too numerous, and, unless steps are taken to prevent it, will in a few years oust the British—who by national right and by right of present-day conquest or preservation own the country—and become firmly implanted in our nation and indelibly stamped in national affairs. These people have, an association for the immigration of their people to these lands, and although they arrive nearly paupers, they live on piaetieally the production of the farms, and in a very few years become farmers' and purchase the 'freehold title of the best dairying lands, and in their turn bring out other immigrants and start them on the land.

But this increase in the number of Swiss in Taranaki lias been brought about by many farmers who, having made a pile, wish to lease their farms, and asks such exhorbitant rentals as to debar the New Zealander, who likes to live at least in comfort, The Swiss does not desire to be comfortable, but wants to get rich quick, and as he has always lived in poverty, or nearly so, he desires nothing but the smell of an oil rig and a few week-old calves to help him obtain this' em). Soon he becomes a dictator, and buys furthex afield, and then is considered as a New Zealander to all intents and purposes. We educate alien people's children, and they are safeguarded and protected by all our laws, and yfo- from time to time some of these same people hold festivities and celebrations on the receipt of an enemy victory. For many months past this has been their custom, and I need only recall <'a very few occasions on which sprees have taken place in honor of the occasion; the overthrow of Serbia, the Dardanelles withdrawal, the surrender of General Townsliend, and, most lately, the death of the Secretary of State for War (Lord Kitchener).

But is this going to be allowed to continue indefinitely, and are the peo. pie going to allow such demonstrations of anti-British feeling to go unchecked? The time and urgency of peril calls for action on the part of the authorities, who, if they remain undisturbed by the clamor around, and refuse to read the huge writing on the wall, will find the position more difficult and serious. NOT ALL TARRED. "BUT THERE ARE OTHERS." The Star editorially comments: —There are Swiss families in Taranaki who for two generations have led and respected lives in our midst, men and Ivomen who have done their duty well as settlers, who owe everything they have to New Zealand 'and the protection of the British flag, and who, we are sure, have in truth no nationality but that of Britain, and are absolutely loyal sublets, ft would bo a discredit to national righteousness, a departure from the groat traditions which have made British justice to foreigners a quality unique and glorious in the world, a piece of personal cruelty, to ostracise such men and women without absolute proof that, by their actions, they had forfeited the respect which for many years they have enjoyed There are others, we are told, who are in an entirely different category, who take pleasure in our nation's | troubles, who glorify the doings of our enemies. No decent patriotic meii can have time for such people. Let them be exposed and brought to book. And it is the duty of every man who has knowledge of the abuse of British hospitality, who has what the lawyers call reasonable and probable ca\ise for attacking tile loyalty and good faith of these people, to speak definitely and not in generalities, so that the officials responsible for administering the War Regulations Act may be able to get to work at once. We therefore commend this matter to the authorities, and warn them that they will not be acting wisely if they altogether ignore the feeling whiel? is abroad. That feeling should be allayed or should be shown to be without reasonable foundation.

COMMENT EY AYRSHIRE BREEDERS. GOVERNMENT ACTION URGED. (From Our Special Reporter). Palmerston N., June 21. At the annual meeting of the New Zealand Ayrshire Breeders' Association the president (Mr, F. Mills) commented exhaustively upon, the danger of aliens being allowed to enjoy the freedom of private citizens This constituted a menace and a danger to the public. The Government, he considered, should take earnest steps to deal with the alien trouble in an effectual and practicable manner. It was common knowledge that in parts of South Taranaki aliens there revelled in the death of Earl Kitchener and other events that would appear to be to the enemy's benefit. This matter should be taken in hand right away. (Applause).