HINDOOS IN AUCKLAND.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15769, 9 December 1916, Page 7

HINDOOS IN AUCKLAND.

POSITION EXAGGERATED. (PIIISS ASSOCIATION TKUUHLUI.) . AUCKLAND, December 8. An enquiry into complaints regarding the number of Hindoos who recently have arrived in Auckland, was made yesterday by the Minister of Internal Affairs, now visiting Auckland. The Minister state* that the investigations show that the-position has been greatly exaggerated. "Information 1 havo obtained from the Collector of Customs," lie said, "shows that during the year ended November 30th thore arrived in Auckland 84 Hindoos whilst 18 departed. Mr Hidings informs mo that It more Hindoos are about to leave Auckland for India, and that he has issued between 50 and 60 sets of identification papers to other Hindoos, who alio arc awaiting an opportunity of securing passages to'lndia. If theso latter aro leaving the country, it practicallv will mean a total of at least departures, and that Hindoos aro leaving New Zealand as rapidly N as they ar-. rive; consequently the cry raised in somo quarters lately that thcro is a, prospect of a Hindoo invasion from Fiji (may be regarded as unfounded and unworthy of further consideration. Tho departures referred to arc those of Hindoos leaving tho port of Auckland. If any have left with the military reuiforcomcnts tho fact will bo known to tho Minister of Defence. No information has reached mo regarding any arrivals of Hindoos at any ports other than Auckland. "It may bo as well to point out. added the Minister, "that it is only m the caso of Chinese that our Immigration Act places a direct, barrier apmst peoplo being allowed to land in tho Dominion. Tho Act provides that any person of other than British or Irish birth or parentage, who desires to land, in New Zealand, shall bo subject to an edncatibn test on arrival. # They aro required to writo out and sign in any European language an application in tho prescribed form. Those who are unablo to pass this "test aro ndt allowed to land. If Hindoos, who, it must bo remembered, arc British subjects, are able to pass the tost, they must bo allowed to land. The question of tho residence of a very largo number of Hindoos in Fiji is not at present at issue, and I do not feel called upon to express an opinion in regard to it.