RIGHTS OF ALIENS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 July 1920, Page 5

RIGHTS OF ALIENS.

NATURALISATION PROPOSALS. BILL BEFORE PARLIAMENT. By Teleerap'.i— Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The House of Representatives this evening went into committee on the Revocation of Naturalisation Amendment Bill, which was in charge of the Hon. G. J. Anderson. Replying to Mr. Sidey, the Minister said he had come to the conclusion that it was not advisable to give aliens the right of appeal against the revocation of their naturalisation. The right of appeal was advocated hy Messrs. Isitt, Witty and Statham,«who pointed out that the Act applied to all aliens, not merely to Germans. Mr. Sidey moved an amendment, the effect of which was to give an alien an opportunity of protesting against the revocation of letters'of naturalisation. The Minister said there was ample right of appeal under the original Act to prevent injustice. He would personally take care of that.

Mr. MoCallum protested against legislating by Order-in-Council. He reminded the Government that the House agreed to many things during war time which it would not consent to in time of peace. He thought Mr. Sidey's amendment did not go far enough, for the right of appeal should be in open tribunal. Mr. Massey said there was some misapprehension regarding the Bill. It only dealt with aliens who had been denaturalised and who refused to give up their naturalisation papers. An aliens board had been set up, and made careful inquiry into all cases, and he felt sure there had been very few cases of injustice. It was most undesirable that, aliens who had been denaturalised should be allowed to retain their papers, . by which means they might deceive the authorities and other people. If, however, the Government found there was need for a Court of Appeal they might take steps to have such established. The Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald asked if there was to be any further legislation to give relief to aliens who did not come under the ban of this Bill. He knew of cases where individuals were suffering injustice.

The Hon. E. P. Lee pointed out th:it the whole policy of issuing or withdrawing letters of naturalisation was a matter of discretion >of the Government —no one had letters issued to him as a matter of right—hut the amendment proposed takes that discretion away from the Government, and places the power of issuing letters in the hands of a Judge of the Supreme Court.

Immediately after the supper adjourn • ment a division was taken on Mr. Sidey's amendment, which was lost bv 42 votes to 22.

The Bill was reported from committee without amendment, and the third reading was set down for next- sitting day. The House rose at 10.16 p.nj.