ALIENS IN BRITAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 149, 24 June 1911, Page 13

ALIENS IN BRITAIN.

"The Alien Problem and its Remedy," J by M. J. Landa (P. S. King and Son; ss. net), is a book very well written by a j prominent Jewish journalist in London. It will be especially appreciated by the j author's co-religionists in Australasia; I | but the controversial question it raises, i though directly of English application, has a scope including points of permanent interest here. Opening with a brief historical BUuiu»iy,Ja which.he showa! t

how greatly English industries are indebted to alien refugees, Sir. Landa comes to the agitation that led to the passing of the English "Aliens Act, 1905."

The effect of this Act is to refuse admission to the United Kingdom of immigrants (classed as undesirable) who are criminal, diseased, insane, or without means or prospect of decently supporting themselves. It represents Parliamentary response to a public appeal for the protection of English citizens against alien industrial competition, chiefly in London. It contains what is characterised as the most comprehensive declaration of the Bight of Asylum that can be found in civilized legislation, to wit I (Sec. 3):'

But, in the case of as Immigrant who proves that he Is seeking admission to this country solely to avoid prevention or punishment on religious or political grounds or for an offence of a pollUeel character, or persecution, involving dancer of imprisonment or danger to life or limb, on account of religious belief, leave to land shall not 'be refused on the ground merely of want of means, or the probability of his becoming a charge on the rate*.

As many or most of the Immigrants concerned are Jews from Russia, Mr. Landa states their case sad attacks the •case for the other side. We g are not called upon to decide a British domestic issue, but he argues well. As the attitude of Australia and New Zealand to undesirable immigrants is often questioned, we note Mr. Landa's statement that "the very first thing that happened, after the Act came into force on Janu- j ary Ist, 1906, was the refusal of the imjnigration ■ officials to admit the ship--wrecked crew of the American trading barque, the Edward L. 'Mayberry, on arrival at Southampton on the southwestern steamer Ella. The American consul had to appeal to the Government ou behalf of the unfortunate mariners; and to put an end to the humiliating spectacle of the greatest of nations refusing the customary hospitality always accorded to castaways of the sea a Home Office order was necessary." Mr. Landa's "remedy" involves the rigorous exclusion of criminals and others clearly "undesirable," and a better regulation of the free admission of other aliens. His book is full of wellsupported information and contains in appendix the text of the Act and subsequent administrative orders. •