THE INDIAN IMMIGRANT.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 71, 24 March 1919, Page 4

THE INDIAN IMMIGRANT.

The ungracious retort of Sir James Allen to the statement that a steadyflow of Indians into this Dominion hae commenced, and requires attention, is in keeping with tbe Acting-Prime Minister's attitude to any suggestion that may arise outside his own official channels.

" I don't known anything about it," said Sir James to our correspondent. "I have seen things of the kind in the news-

papers on previous occasions, and every time I have inquired into them I have fouud them to be greiitly exaggerated.

. , . I am informed that frequently messages that call for such comments as I am making come from Auckland." There is one phrase in this statement with which we are heartily in accord, and it is the Acting-Prime Minister's assertion: " I don't know anything about it." Starting from this foundation we would like the Government to learn, and learn quickly, while the problem can be readily dealt with. It is a fair charge against the Coalition Government that a great deal of their failure has arisen from not dealing witli current questions promptly. Not only has the Ministry as a whole been without wide vision, but also they have failed to grapple with businesslike promptitude with subjects pressing on them for immediate attention. This Indian coolie immigration has not proceeded so far that it can be called a danger, but let it go unchecked, for another twelve montiis, and its danger

will be apparent to the most obstinate politician; leave !t alone fur a further year, and it will constitute a real menace to the industrial life of the Dominion.

There is a reservoir of 50,000 Hindus in Fiji, and they are just awaking to the fact that Xew Zealand is a land of promise, and that no real barrier is erected against them. The last census showed gnlv 160 Indians in this country, whereas

already this year, in a period of less than three months, 76 .have arrived. Out of this number only one has been rejected under our language test. When we tell the Government that natives are being schooled in large numbers in Fiji to meet this ineffectual Dominion teat we are stating a fact, although one no doubt with which they are unfamiliar. In conclusion we would just like to propose that Government familiarise themselves through official channels with the difficulties that beset Natal to-day through permitting coolie immigration until it has become an octopus .strangling a considerable section of the white population; and then we would suggest a little thoughtful consideration qf'tlie whole question in place of th<- airy and irresponsible dismissal of the subject accorded it by Sir James Allen.