Change In Form Of N.Z. Passport

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30368, 18 February 1964, Page 14

Change In Form Of N.Z. Passport

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 17. New Zealand has decided to drop the word “British” from the covei- of its passports solely for reasons of clarity, a spokesman for the passports division of the Internal Affairs Department said today.

He was commenting on a report in the London “Sunday Express.” At present, New Zealand passport front pages were labelled in large type “British," and were marked “New Zealand” only in small type at the bottom.

Users of the passports had said from time to time that this caused them difficulties with people who did not understand the complexities of passport law. They had not been able to make others understand that they were New Zealanders, and were answered: “But it says ‘British’ on your passport.”

They then had to try and explain the situation which makes them British subjects and New Zealand citizens.

“The fact is that our passports are issued under the authority of the New Zealand Passports Act, and are New Zealand passports, so purely as a routine matter of printing, we decided to change thfe front page. “The change has no other effect. The bearers’ status is completely unchanged, and his status is still described inside as ‘British subject, New Zealand citizen.’ ” The Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Seath), commenting on the London report, said: “Towards the end of last year it was necessary to order further supplies of New Zealand passports. “The opportunity was taken to look critically at the format, size and appearance of the passport with the idea, of introducing improvements and alterations that experience had suggested.”