SPIES IN DOMINION?

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20914, 20 September 1939, Page 6

SPIES IN DOMINION?

NEED FOR PRECAUTION SABOTAGE DANGER QUESTIONED VIEWS OF POWER BOARD MEMBERS "There are aliens in New Zealand who have plans of all our vital strategical points," said Mr W. C. E. George at the meeting of the Central Waikato Electric Power Board to-day, when stating that precautionary measures for the safety of utility services were essential. Mr George expressed the view’ that all links of communication should be guarded and mentioned an instance where he thought protection should be given. When the secretary. Mr H. J. Beeche, read suggestions for precautions, Mr R. G. Young expressed surprise that the matter had been taken seriously in New Zealand. These plans were drawn up in England to meet emergency conditions there, he said, in asserting that they were unnecessary in New Zealand. “Alftrmltt Officials” He described the authorities in Wellington who have organised the precautionary emergency measures as "alarmist officials.’’ in his opinion New Zealand was immune from alien sabotage. He said the enemy aliens here would not try to raise a finger to do any harm to utility services. This w r as not a popular war. if enemy aliens did not disagree with the policy of their Government they would not have come to New Zealand, he considered. Mr George expressed entire disagreement with that view. He mentioned examples in Europe of spy work of aliens w’ho had been long resident in a foreign land, and w’ho were apparently good naturalised citizens. “We do not know what is before us, and we should be prepared for any emergency," he said.