IMMIGRATION BAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 247, 19 October 1933, Page 18

IMMIGRATION BAN.

EXTENDED TWO YEARS ENTRY BY PERMIT ONLY. EFFECT OF THE SYSTEM. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON', Wednesday. Cabinet has decided to reimpose for a further two years the restriction on immigration to New Zealand (apart from the already controlled entry of assisted migrants from the United Kingdom) which was undertaken in 1931, on account of the economic and financial conditions of the Dominion. Under the operative legislation, which is due to expire on December 31 next, a system of entry by permit has been in force, and, according to official intimations, it has worked without friction. Visitors of the tourist variety, of course, did not come under the ban. Under the Act the Governor-General lias power, by Order-in-Council, on the grounds referred to, to prohibit, in the public interest, the landing in New Zealand of persons of any specified nationality or race, occupation or class, or to limit the number that might enter during fixed I periods. Power was reserved, however, to issue permits in certain cases. An amendment to the enactment which the Kt. Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Customs, introduced into the House provides for a continuation of the scheme until December 31, 1935. Conserving Employment. In 'giving a new lease of life to the legislation, the Government presumably has no other motive than that which actuated the introduction of the measure in 1931 —the control of the admission of people to New Zealand at a time when there is not sufficient employment available for -the residents of the Dominion themselves. The permit system of entry has enabled the authorities to ascertain the exact reason of an applicant's desire to come to New Zealand and to govern admissions in accordance with the state of the local labour market. Coinciding with the introduction of Mr. Coates' bill is the presentation of the annual report of the immigration branch of the Labour Department for 1932-33, which indicates that the total number of arrivals from the United Kingdom and Ireland was G2G, composed of 288 males and 338 females. Out of that total 56 were assisted by the Imperial and New Zealand Governments, and were all nominated by people resident in New Zealand. New Zealanders living temporarily in the United Kingdom can no longer undertake nominations. A Heavy Fall. The policy of the Government with respect to assisted migration has been one of drastic restriction since May, 1927. Its effect is strikingly reflected in the following figures: — Assisted. Full Fare. 1926 27 11.239 3.704 1027-2S 3,822 102S-29 1,968 1,846 10-'O-SO 1,700 1,370 1930-31 1.233 1.377 1031-32 290 I.OBS 1032-33 5C 370