The Press WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 1962. A Plea For Hong Kong Orphans

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29859, 27 June 1962, Page 12

The Press WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 1962. A Plea For Hong Kong Orphans

Overwhelming proof of New Zealanders* sympathy for the Hong Kong refugees should by now have persuaded the Government to admit as immigrants many more than the miserable quota of 20 orphans announced this month. Exactly how this total was decided is obscure; the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) says it is the number that, “ on the evidence, “ can be handled properly.” What evidence? The Bishop of Christchurch (the Rt. Rev. A. K. Warren) says that the National Council of Churches asked to find homes for 16 of the orphans, has already received 80 offers; and according to Mr J. G. Edwards, Opposition member for Napier, the St. Vincent de Paul Society alone is “prepared to take 100 “ children.”

The pitiful plight of unnumbered thousands for whom no real home or secure livelihood can be found within the teeming slums of Hong Kong has awakened humanitarian instincts among a surprising cross-section of New Zealanders, some of whom have expressed their views forcefully in the correspondence columns of “ The “ Press.” Racial prejudices may sometimes be harder to overcome in a country such as New Zealand than in far older areas of European settlement, where minorities of any kind are less remarked; because of this the New Zealand Government deserves credit for endorsing—even if only in a token manner—the principle that the Dominion is bound to assist needy

Asians not only in Asian countries, but also (within sensible bounds) by opening its own doors to them. For many years the Dominion has had its own industrious, honest Chinese citizens; and particularly since the Second World War regard for Asian peoples has been fostered i through educational and cultural exchanges. Both humanity and expediency dictate a more liberal policy towards Asian migrants. Advocating entry for Hong Kong refugees, the international relations committee of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand said before the Government announced its child quota: “We believe that such a “ gesture would have far “ greater impact on Eastern “ nations and do more to “ win their respect and “keep them from commun- “ ism than any military “ display could do.” The committee recalled that, after the Hungarian revolt. New Zealand decided almost overnight to admit 1200 refugees; and it argued wisely against too great an emphasis, implied or explicit, upon differences of treatment for European and Asian refugees. This contrast, indeed, may be the worst hazard to which New Zealand exposes itself by adopting an immigrant quota that appears derisory against the vastness of the Hong Kong refugee problem. To frustrate the good intentions of many New Zealanders, as well as to lose face unjustifiably in Asia, will merely add to the tragedy of a situation that already is tragic enough.