Screening Of Visiting Artists Questioned

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30859, 18 September 1965, Page 17

Screening Of Visiting Artists Questioned

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, Sept. 16. The issue of admitting entertainers to New Zea-

land was raised again in Parliament when the Minister of Immigration (Mr Shand) was questioned as to the scrutiny given by his department to applications for entry permits. Mr G. F. Sim (Govt., Piako) asked the Minister what scrutiny was given by the department to application? for permits for such groups as the “Rolling Stones” and “The Pretty Things.” He also asked if the department had regard to how much overseas exchange groups took from the country. Because of the many thousands of visitors, it would not be profitable to screen every prospective visitor to New Zealand, replied the Minister. It was for this reason that a strong stand was

taken with visitors who may endeavour to overstay their temporary permits. “Wherever an individual entertainer, or group of entertainers, is known to be of bad character and reputation, or where their presence in New Zealand is likely to offend public opinion, the department would certainly consider seriously whether they should be permitted to enter for the purpose of performing in this country," said the Minister. “As the allocation of overseas funds to people who have earned income while here temporarily is the responsibility of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, my department does not normally concern itself with this aspect, unless there are other grounds, as in a recent case, for questioning the desirability of permitting an entertainer to come to New Zealand," the Minister said.