ATTACK ON MR DAVIS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 June 1939, Page 5

ATTACK ON MR DAVIS

NO INDEPENDENT ACTION BY NEW ZEALAND MATTER FOR THE FOREIGN OFFICE. STATEMENT BY PREMIER. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) 1 WELLINGTON, This Day.' No independent action on the part of New Zealand by way of protest to Japan for the indignities reported to have been committed upon Mr Cecil Davis, honorary agent for the New Zealand Government in Tientsin, is contemplated by the Government, according to the Prime Minister, Mr Savage. He said last evening that such matters were handled by the Foreign Office on behalf of every unit of the British Commonwealth of Nations. While a protest from New Zealand might be well received within the Dominion if published here, it might easily cause unwelcome complications, Mr Savage added. It was not usual for any of the Dominions to act independently in cases of this kind, as the Foreign Office was equally concerned whether the victim was a New Zealander, an Englishman, or a citizen of any other part of the British Commonwealth. Since the Foreign Office would automatically deal with the situation that had arisen in respect of Mr Davis, New Zealand had not protested, either through the Foreign Office to Japan or to the Consul for Japan in the Dominion.

Mr Davis, who. according to cable messages, was twice, publicly stripped by Japanese searching posts in the last few days, is managing director, of Hatch, Carter and Company, importers and exporters, of Tientsin, and owns a considerable amount of property there. He was born in Christchurch and was taken as a child to China by his parents about 40 years ago. His mother lives in retirement in Melbourne. Mr Davis’s residence is about half a mile outside British territory, near the racecourse and country club, a fact which probably accounts for his frequent encounters with Japanese troops at the barbed wire boundary. He served with the Chinese Labour Corps during the European War, and in appreciation of the services he rendered the Empire he was given a partnership in Hatch. Carter and Company, and afterwards tool; over the business. He was appointed corresponding honorary representative of the New Zealand Government in 1935.

Mr S. Gilman, of the Empire Hotel. Masterton, is a brother-in-law of Mr Cecil Davis. New Zealand Government agent at Tientsin, who has been subjected to indignities at the hands of the Japanese. “SURE TO PROTEST.” LONDON PAPER'S VIEW. (Independent Cable Service.) LONDON. June 26. The “Daily Express.” discussing the case of Mr Davis, says: "It is perfectly certain that the New Zealand Government will protest against the treatment and will not allow the Dominion's passport to be dropped in the mire by Japanese." Australia is sure to support New Zealand, for those two Dominions are determined to uphold together the prestige and standing of the British races in the Pacific.” SPECIAL PROTEST (Independent Cable Service.) (Received This Day. 9.30 a.m.) LONDON. June 26. It is understood that a special protest is being made to Tokio against the treatment of the New Zealander, Mr Davis, in view of his status. CABLE TO MR SAVAGE LONDON PAPER'S INQUIRY. LONDON. June 26. The "Daily Express" has cabled Mr Savage asking if New Zealand would act to vindicate Mr Davis, who was ill-treated in Tiensin. The cable adds: "We would be grateful for a message expressing New Zealand’s resentment and her determination to uphold jier citizens' rights,"