U.K. Entry Review

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31364, 9 May 1967, Page 1

U.K. Entry Review

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 8. The question of New Zealanders being refused permission to enter the United Kingdom is under review. This was revealed tonight by the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) when questioned about the case of the New Zealand singer, Johnny Devlin, who was asked to leave the United Kingdom because his work permit was not in order. Mr Holyoake said that when passing the Commonwealth

Immigrants Act, 1962, the United Kingdom Government made it clear that the restrictive provisions would be applied without discrimination as to the citizenship of the Commonwealth immigrant concerned. New Zealanders were not entitled to any preferential treatment. Mr Holyoake said, however, that British authorities indicated it was not intended to interfere with the traditional working holidays in which many young people visited the United Kingdom, combining ordinary touring with occasional short-term employment. He said that the New Zealand Government had not

thought it appropriate to make special representations on behalf of its citizens. Recently, however, a few New Zealanders had been refused permission to enter the United Kingdom. Mr Holyoake said the case of Johnny Devlin pointed up the problem and it seemed that perhaps the legislation was being applied more strictly, or perhaps there was some misunderstanding as to the working holiday procedures. “We are accordingly reviewing the situation, as we realise that the free mingling together of our peoples has contributed so much to the maintaining of our ties of kinship with Britain.”