THE "WHITE AUSTRALIA" POLICY.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12129, 27 February 1905, Page 5

THE "WHITE AUSTRALIA " POLICY.

—: • —: ' . '-.:• THE EXCLUDED MAORIS. ; (SrSCIALTO ''l«B T-tESS,') ■■•'. ' WELLINGTON, February 26. Regarding the two Maoris who were, refused permission to land in Australia,, the officials of the Union Steamship Company in Wellington state thatwhen the men applied for tickets for Sydney; they were told there might he some difficulty about their landing. Both men passed a test jn writing in the Company's office, but it was pointed out to them by the shipping clerk that, although he thought they could write well enough to got through, he was not certain, and no one could be certain until the Customs official saw them in Sydney. Subsequently the men returned to the office with .Mr C. Parata, a native interpreter, and on tho subject of return tickets' being mentioned, it was pointed out that the very fact of their having return tickets would be an assistance to them as showing- that they had no intention of remaining permanently -in the Commonwealth. Accordingly they took out return tickets. The Union Company officials showed your representative a letter from the manager of the Sydney office, which throws some light on the subject. It is dated 17th February, the day before the Warrimoo left Sydney on its return journey to New Zealand. The writer says:—"This vessel (the Warrimoo) had two Maori steerage passengers from Wellington, who ; we understand, have come over to this side to find employ- ' ment as shearers.; In accordance with the provisions of the Immigration. Restriction Act, -1901, these men - were tested, hy being requested to write fifty words in -an European language, as directed by the officer empowered under the Act, in which test they failed, and consequently have been refused admission to the Commonwealth: I .understand from the men that the clerk booking them in your office recognised that there wax a possibility of their being refused admission, and he in consequence issued to them return tickets." The two Maori- hare pot their complaints before the Native Minister, the Hon. J. Carroll, who is making eo3uir.es into it. _ Mr Carroll says be oes not' complain of the exclusion, of Maoris under the Act, but he'thinks that it was administered too rigorously in this case, and the treatment to which the men were subjected showed a great S lack of tact. -