MOUNTBATTEN TASK 'NOT QUITE CLEAR'

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30711, 29 March 1965, Page 8

MOUNTBATTEN TASK 'NOT QUITE CLEAR'

<N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

LONDON, March 28. The task of Lord Mountbatten when he visits Commonwealth countries on an investigation of migration is not entirely clear, “The Times” says. “Lord Mountbatten, it seems, is to head an ‘exploratory and fact finding’ mission which will discuss with governments concerned ‘what new measures may be adopted particularly in the country of origin’. “At first sight the news looked decidedly odd,” “The Times” says. “The wording of the announcement suggested that the members of the mission would

be trying to get the Commonwealth countries to do the British Government's own work for them. “There seemed a hint that the other governments should stop or check the flow of emigrants and then all would be well.

“Before the end of the debate on Tuesday night Sir Frank Soskice, speaking as Home Secretary, made it plain that the government were not trying to shuffle off their responsibilities in any such manner.

“What they sought were the Commonwealth countries’ views on what was possible and their reactions to any steps which Britain might have to take.” “The Times” concludes: “Painful decisions must remain squarely with the British Government.”

Aliens Too

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) LONDON, March 28 The British Government should cut down on the flow of aliens, as well as Commonwealth citizens, into Britain if it wanted to curb immigration, says the “Magnet,” a newspaper for immigrants. “Aliens form only a small proportion of the total immigration figures, but on principle surely ■ British citizen of the Commonwealth should be preferred to an alien,” it added.