SATURDAY'S WAR NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, 15 July 1918, Page 6

SATURDAY'S WAR NEWS

MOTHER COUNTRY. A MINISTERIAL STATEMENT, London, July 13. In the House of Commons, during Wie aliens' debate, Sir G. Cave asked the House to give it serious and cool attention. He admitted tlier« was mueh public anxiety on this question, but this was largely due to inadequate knowledge Steps had already been taken to protect the country against the tlien danger. He disagreed with indiscriminate internment of enemy aliens, but neutral committees would be asked to carefully review and drastically revise existing exemptions and give their reasons for their decisions.. Therefore every enemy alien would be interned except where there was strong reason for exemption. It was also proposed to review naturalisation certificates granted since the war. No person not a natural-born Britisher will be allowed to change his name except under license. The prohibition operates retrospectively. He announced that no person during the war should be employed in a Government office unless a child of natural Britishers, except for definite national means. Many undesirable aliens had already been deported and the Government proposed to apply to the court immediately for a winding-up order. It would also introduce legislation prohibiting enemy banks in Great Britain for a period of years after the war. Sir G. Cave pointed out that except in the eariy weeks of the war spies had not been found among enemy subjects, but among other nationalities. Aliens other than enemies were already registered, and their movements restricted, but it was proposed to make the system of identity books general.-—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc. STOPPING GERMAN CROWING. PROPOSALS TO BE RIGOROUSLY ENFORCED, ' Received July 13, 5.5 p.in. London, July 12,. Sir George Cave, continuing, said, regarding the House of Commons committee's recommendations, that he agreed that many exemptions were given early in the war at a time of great pressure. Therefore it was not unreasonable to suggest that the list might be carefully revised. Where exemptions were granted after re-investigation the records would be available to the public. Regarding the review of naturalisation certificates, the Bill introduced would enable them to deal with the question, but certificates would be reviewed, including grante' during the war. Sir G. Cave concluded that since the war no patents had been granted to enemies. Over five hundred enemy businesses had been wound up and many transferred to British ownership. Mr. Hugh Williams urged that if the tribunal decided that an alien should not be exempted the Government office should not be allowed to revise the decision. Mr. Lloyd George said the debate showed that the House generally accepted Sir George Cave's propositions, which would be carried out vigorously and rigorously, but without unfairness, and promised that the tribunal would be strong and impartial, and that no personal considerations would be allowed to interfere with public interest. There is never a British eet-back after which I don't get numerous letters from Germans in Britain crowing over the set-back. The reasons for exempting aliens employed in Government departments would not be published. They were rendering conspicuous services to the country and had been extremely helpful. Concluding, he said that in case of war the country must be given the benefit of the doubt, even to the point of individual hardship. They must not enter into competition with the Germans in inhumanity and injustice; that would degrade our flag; but we mustn't commit the folly of overtrustfulness to the extent of endangering the country we loved so well.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. ROPING IN SHIRKERS. WHO HAVE FLED TO IRELAIt j DRASTIC MEASURES TO BE TAKEN. Received July 13, B.S p.ffi, London, July 12. 'A poster has been displayed all over Ireland calling up men liable for military service who are ordinarily residents in Britain, and stating that if they failed to report to the nearest police station by Wednesday they will be promptly arrested. The experts of the National Service Ministry have been sent to Ireland and are working in collaboration with tlie Irish constabulary in enforcing the order, which aims at roping in many thousands who have fled to Ireland to avoid conscription.—Press Assoc. OVERSEAS DELEGATES ENTERTAINED. *• Received July 13. 5.5 p.m. London, July 12. The Lord Mayor of London entertained Mr. Hughes, Mr. Massey, Sir Joseph Ward, Mr. Cook, and other delegates at dinner at the Mansion House. It was a remarkable gathering, leading parliamentarians and financiers being present.—Press Assoc.