AUSTRALIA AND MAORIS

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25483, 1 May 1948, Page 8

AUSTRALIA AND MAORIS

FEDERAL POLICY ON SETTLEMENT

MR CALWELL REPLIES TO QUESTION (Rec. 11 p.m.) CANBERRA. April 30. The Commonwealth Government’s policy on the banning of Maoris from permanent settlement in Australia was raised again in the House of Representatives. when Sir Earle Page (Country Party) asked the Minister of Immigration (Mr A. A. Calwell) whether he had. seen the statement by the New Zealand Prime Minister (Mr P. Fraser).

Sir Earle Page added that Mr Calwell’s remarks followed a reported decision to exclude from Australia a former Tongan princess who had been educated in the Commonwealth. He asked Mr Calwell whether he would review yie position, so that there would be no misunderstanding. Mr Calwell said that he had not yet heard from the New Zealand High Commissioner (Mr J. G. Barclay). “I am afraid that you are just using the Maoris, having regard to the Tdhgan princess.” he said.

“People are admitted to or excluded from Australia on grounds other than that of social importance, and an attempt by some members to advance the claims of that lady just because she happens to be a cousin of a queen somewhere in the Pacific leaves me cold.”

Correspondents in Canberra say'that the statement on Maoris in Australia attributed yesterday to Mr Calwell was definitely made by him and has not been denied in any form. It is learned from Ministerial sources that Mr Calwell’s statement was the strict legal interpretation of the Immigration Act, but that in practice Australia makes no discrimination against Maoris.

The question will be adjusted between the New Zealand High Commissioner’s office and Australian immigration officials. Mr Calwell has given correspondents an assurance that Maoris already resident in Australia will remain undisturbed despite the Australian immigration laws. He added: “We like Maoris and appreciate the entertainment given by Princess Te Puea Herangi to many Australians. We have appreciated the splendid qualities of the Maoris in war and peace. There have never been any difficulties when apnlication has been made through the New Zealand administration for passports. Each case has been judged on its merits.” It is beljeved that Mr Calwell was caught unawares by a question in the House of Representatives yesterday As few individuals are involved in the matter, which is entirely one of practice, it is thought that he is anxious to reassure Maoris without admitting his mistake.'