MIGRATION TO N.Z.

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24610, 5 July 1945, Page 4

MIGRATION TO N.Z.

* ‘ REMARKS IN LONDON . BY HOLLAND DISCUSSION IN THE , HOUSE (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, July 4. . There was a lively interlude ,in the House of Representatives to-day when views on immigration said to have been expressed by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr S. G. Holland) in Britain, were questioned by Mr F. Hackett (Government, Grey Lynn). Mr Holland said an article as quoted by Mr Hackett did not represent the views he had expressed. The Acting-Prime Minister (the Hon. W. Nash)' reiterated that the Government's policy on immigration was to deal with rehabilitation and housing first. Mr Hackett, in an urgent question, asked Mr Nash if he could inform the House whether the Leader of the Opposition had the authority of the Government to state during his recent visit to England, that New Zealand was planning to welcome hundreds of thousands of British servicemen to New Zealand after the war. Mr Hackett said it was reported in the “Daily Express” that Mr Holland had arrived in London as an ambassador. Mr W. J. Poison (Opposition, Stratford): Why not ask the Leader of the Opposition if he said that? Wouldnt that be fairer? Mr Nash’s Reply Mr Nash said he had seen the published report, and had also seen a report to the Prime Minister’s department that Mr Holland had said he was an ambassador for New Zealand. He did not question that, as he considered that all good New Zealanders should be ambassadors for their country when overseas, but he did not think they should criticise the Government. It was not possible for anyone on the other side of the House to announce a policy, and say it was the Government’s policy. British servicemen and all other Britons who stood up to the rigours of war would be welcomed to New Zealand, and they would be helped when the time was opportune. In fact there was no bar to any Briton at present. Mr F. W. Doidge (Opposition, Tauranga): There is no encouragement. Mr Nash; Yes. there is, in that this is the best country in the world to come to. Mr Holland, who was given the permission of the House to make a statement, said it was obvious that Mr Nash had arranged for the question to be asked so he could make a long reply. If the member fpr Grey Lynn had asked him about it he would have told him what happened. While in London he had never said one word derogatory to New Zealand. He had been invited to discuss immigration, and had said there would be hundreds of thousands who would look, for new homes after the war, and there would be openings in New Zealand for those who wished to come here. The Government had no assisted immigration scheme at all, and he thought he had expressed the desires of the people of New Zealand when he said he hoped thousands of British servicemen would come to make their homes here. Mr Hackett also obtained the leave of the House to make an- explanation, He said he had been accused of firing ammunition made by the Minister of Finance. He wanted to deny that. He had a scrapbook with the cutting in it. Mr Poison: Is it the Prime Minister’s file? Mr Hackett: No. Mr Hackett continued that the “Daily Express” article said that Mr Holland was accompanied by a former director of the newspaper. Mr Doidge. who was described as his strongest supporter and closest friend. In those circumstances the, "Daily Express" should not be guilty of misreporting the Leader of the Opposition.