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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria University College, Wellington N.Z. Vol. 20, No. 5. May 2, 1957

Wave of Hysteria

Wave of Hysteria.

The wave of hysterical patriotism which swept the respectability of suburban New Zealand early in the First World War is fantastic to look back on. Germans who had livid and worked in New Zealand pre-war, and become virtual New Zealanders without bothering about citizenship were denounced by jealous business competitors and paranoid witch-hunters, and locked away on Somes Island.

A flood of poison-pen letters in the Press and his own letter-box led Von to offer his resignation repeatedly, but the College Council took the view that he was invaluable to the College and in no way dangerous, and that the hysteria should be resisted to the last.

The Government at first appeared to support the Council's stand, but by August, 1915, they had apparently decided to offer Von up as a sacrifice to their more demented supporters. Premier Massey, answering a question in the House, stated that while the retention of Professor von Zed-litz's services was entirely a matter for the College Council, nevertheless, "If necessary, legislation will be introduced before the end of the session to deal with the situation in as much as . . . neither in University Colleges nor public schools is it desirable that unnaturalised enemy subjects should continue to give instruction to the youth and children of the Dominion . . ."