BANNED BY N.Z.

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30275, 30 October 1963, Page 11

BANNED BY N.Z.

American Couple

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) CANBERRA, Oct. 29. A retired United States schoolteacher, Mr Harold Orr, and his wife have been banned from New Zealand, a Labour mem-

ber of Parliament, Dr. J. Cairns, told reporters in Canberra today. Dr. Cairns said Mr Orr had informed him in a letter that the New Zealand Government had refused him and his wife tourist visas. Dr. Cairns said Mr and Mrs Orr had planned to visit New Zealand on their return trip to the United States.

The Australian Immigration Minister (Mr Downer) has refused the couple permission to stay in Australia. The Orrs have been visiting Australia on tourists’ visas and have been given until next Thursday to leave. Dr. Cairns said today that the action of the New Zealand Government had disrupted the Orrs’ travelling arrangements. They had planned to leave Australia before next Thursday, but now would be unable to get a booking from Australia before November 5. Dr. Cairns said he had requested Mr Downer to stay the deportation proceedings until after that date.

The Secretary of Labour (Mr H. L. Bockett) confirmed last night in Wellington that the Orrs had been refused an entry permit 10 days ago. “I cannot say any more than that,” he said. The Minister of Immigration (Mr Shand) said by telephone from Blenheim that he could not recall the ease.

Prospective immigrants were refused visas from time to time, he said. Sometimes flaws in visa applications resulted in refusals. Such an application had appeared on his desk in the last few days, but he did not think it was the Orr case.