ENLISTMENT OF ALIENS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 July 1916, Page 7

ENLISTMENT OF ALIENS.

DISCUSSION BY EC"! MONT COUNTY COUXCIL. The advisability or otherwise of allowing men of alien parentage to enlist in reinforcement drafts has been before local bodies lately, the Patea County Council having forwarded a copy of a resolution passed by it protesting against their inclusion in our reinforcement drafts or in any capacity in our defence system. 'Die matter came before the Eamont County Council on Tuesday. Cr.'W. K. Wright moved that the Council support the resolution. He considered there were men in camp who should never have been allowed there. Cr. McNeill seconded. The chairman said it was a matter that required consideration.. He knew two young fellows of alien parentage from his own district who had enlisted and who were as loyal as any that had ever gone. Such as they should not be debarred. He considered there was too much outcry. The (iovernment should have di.-i-retionary power, because, if the rule wh» made too hard and fast, it was ■just po-sible the Imperial Ooveninicnt might he deprived of the services of some great material in the present struggle. Cr. Wright believed in the Prussian officer's motto that there was never an Englishman who would be a, German, nor a Herman who would be an Englishman, to the end of time. Cr. Macßeynolds: That depends on the inducements I The chairman said there were a lot of foreign people in New Zealand. There might be -lome among the lirst generation who were not loyal, but the second and third were absolutely British. Cr. Wright doubted this. On being put, the motion was lost.