SONS OF ALIENS.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 March 1918, Page 5

SONS OF ALIENS.

•i POSITION IN TARANAKI. BITTERNESS AND UNRESt \ It has been general knowledge for some ■' time that the undue advantages being-ae-i ■ cured by sons of alien-bom parents ha*''. cuused considerable bitterness, partial- • lftrly in the Taranuki province., Moreie-C garding this subject was heard at Thuw day's sitting of the Advisory Board fl| h the New Zealand Patriotic Societies la ' Wellington. The secretary of the'Tara-i, naki Association wrote: ' l! "You are no doubt aware that Jn.cir*< : tain parts of this district there iwn . considerable number of alien-born sub-'? jocts, and the following letter, which ha* been received from the Tariki Patriotic ' Society, indicates to some extent the un«-i rest which is being caused in this district. The executive of this association realises that the Defence Department and military authorities are acting in the, b>st interests by accepting some of these' 'Sons'for service and rejecting others,, - but they consider that the men who are"* rejected should not be placed in suck a position that they receive an advantage by being allowed to return to their farm's. and reap all the benefits of citizenship,' while other men are forced to give up f ; their farms at a considerable sacrifice and: join the forces. The letter referred topis as follows: i "'Dear Sir,—The above society hail' written to the Hon. Ministe/ of Defence,' asking for an explanation as to why tho son 9 of alien-born parents, of both Ger-r' man and Polish origin, are returned from camp, without any reason, after being* passed medically fit, and undergoing ia., courso of training. We would like your support in this matter, as it is causing much bitterness in and around this dia-f trict.'" - ,' The Advisory Board was asked to approve the following remit: i "That this association represent to.' the Advisory Board the desirability of'' some satisfactory explanation being-. obtained re sons of alien-born parental being discharged from camp when they/ have undergone a courso of training? and are apparently fit, and that suehj. men should not receive all tho benefits' i of citizenship when other men artf' forced to join the forces in many cages' < at considerable personal sacrifice. That' tho matter be referred to tho with a view to settling the public Wt* ' temess and unrest which is being cms* I ' ' ed re this matter." \' Mr. H. L Spratt (Taranaki) 1 gtatedi, that boys of alien birth, when discharged', from camp for military reasons, were allowed to go back and resume their employment. It was not suggested that', any drastic steps should be taken, such. ', as internment, but that the men should; be put under military discipline, and given some home service work. t Mr. V. Larner (Auckland) suggested * that the question was beyond the scope . of the board, but other members thought different. Mr. Spratt stated that at Tariki the question had caused a great deal of bit* terness and unrest. Mr. Hope Gibbons (Wanganui) stated that in cither Canada or Unitrt'StatM of America it had been decided io giv? home service work on farms, etc, to, all • wen who, for reasons of nationality,' could not be placed in the army. Mr. Lnrner said he was quite in sym-' pp.thy with the proposal. He saw no reason why the sons of aliens, should not be employed. Why, there was an army of workers at the camp. Why should they not be repliced by aliens? Why should any fit young man be allowed to resume ' his occupation and make money at the -. expense of those who had been sent away? Touching on another phase, Mr,"' Larner said he could not understand why the men should be partially trained and" then discharged. \ It was decided that a sub-committed - should interview tho Minister of Dat fence-on the matter, i