IMMIGRATION LAW.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 193, 13 August 1920, Page 6

IMMIGRATION LAW.

OATH OF AIXEGIANCE. RESTRICTING THE CHINESE. (By Telegraph.— Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. The Immigration Restriction Amendment Bill, which was circulated to-day, substitutes the familiar language test in the case, of non-British immigrants by more elahorate procedure, which must commence before they leave, their country of origin. An official memorandum attached to the bill states that persons who are not of Brit eh or Irish birtli i and parentage may come to Xew Zealand art visitors for business, health, or plea- i Mire, purposes, but persons who are not of British or Irish brth or parentage who enter New Zealand with the intention of beconrng settlera in the country are required to make previous application in I writing sent by post from the country of their residence, setting forth in detail their Intentions, mcafcs, and qualifications to become settlers. If the Minister of Customs is satisfied he may grant a permit giving the right to the" foreigner; to enter New Zealand otherwise thnn ! us a visitor. Provision is made for tho exemption by proclamation of nations and races from the provisions of the Act. Power is also reserved to the Minister of Customs to grant exemption in tiiOj case of any particular person- Foreign-1 ers perm'tted to settle have before land-j ing to take an oath as follows: "I swear 1 will faithfully observe and obey tho laws of New Zealand so long as I shall be, resident in New Zealand, and that l] will not in any manner aid or abet any' breach of such laws; that I will Aot be concerned in any manner, directly or indirectly, :n any' act which would he di*-. loyal £0 His Majesty George V. if com-! mitted by a subject of his said Majesty. So help mc Cod." Unless this oath be taken the immigrant is deemed to be a prohibited imm grant. Briti*h-born immigrants will be required to take tho usual oath of allegiance. It is explained that the substitution of prior application for a permit in place of the education test has 'n the ease of Chinese enabled the Government to propose'the repeal of the amendment to the Act of 1!) OS. containing' provision as to thninbpr'nts of Chinese, in regard to which the aeeredited representative of China hm made serious official complaint. 1 understand that this shows the Government's intention to put a fixed and definite annual limit to the number of Chinese, immigrantrt on similar lines to the Canadian Government, wJiich puts the maximum ah r>oo.