NATURALISED BRITISH SUBJECT.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20308, 6 August 1931, Page 10

NATURALISED BRITISH SUBJECT.

RESIDENTIAL RIGHTS OF CHILDREN. [Fnosi Outs. Pahuambktari- IlEPojiTEr..] WELLINGTON, August 5. The peculiar position of a Chinese resident of Wellington, a naturalised British subjoet, in regard to tho residential rights of his childron, is shown in a petition presented to tho Houso to-day by Mr C, Carr on behalf of Mr C. 11. Chapman, The petitioner, a Chinese laundryman named Shack Home, came to New Zealand in 1870, and remained until 1004, when he went to Hong Kong on business, to tho Dominion in 1906, Ho was again absent from New Zealand from 1909 to 1917, since when he has resided continuously in the Dominion. He is a widower with seven children. Two of the sons and the only girl were born j in New Zealand and the other four sons, j whose ngost range from 12 to 19 years, were born in Hong Kong. It is in respect of tho latter that the petition has been framed. Two of the sons born abroad are in .New Zealand on temporary permits, and the petitioner asks that they be allowed to remain permanently in New Zealand without payment of the poll tax, permission having previously been refuged by tho Minister for Customs. He asks that the othor two sons who are still abroad be permitted to enter the Dominion and reside hero permanently without paying the poll tax. As evidence of his standing and reputation as a citizen, Shack Horne states that for some years be was Chinese interpreter at the Magistrate's Court, Wellington, also interpreter in connexion with the Customs Department. He claims he wis instrumental in introducing legislation for the suppression of the opium tragic in Neve Zealand, and was the first to introduce to the General Assembly tho matter of the appointment of a consul to represent the interests of the Chinese residents of the country, having journeyed to China to obtain the permission of the Chinese Government. His eldest son served with the New Zealand Forces in the war. The petition is signed by 198 rosidents of Wellington.