Immigration

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32396, 8 September 1970, Page 12

Immigration

Sir, —As churches are now amalgamating, I feel that “Concerned” has no real need to feel concerned. However, I do believe that governments should guard against making the same mistakes that have been made by Canada, America, Britain and Australia. History shows that Italians and Greeks make the least desirable immigrants because of their inability to become absorbed into the community but rather tend to live in colonies and speak English only when forced to; women in particular tend to cling to their mother-tongue. The planes that disgorge their loads of islanders at Auckland cause one to think how much better for all of these people if they were taught how to control their population while at the same time granting them financial assistance to develop their own islands instead of creating a problem here.—Yours, etc., JOHN FORSTER. September 5, 1970.

Sir, — ; 1 heartily disagree with “Trojan” and “Concerned.” Italian, French and Belgian immigrants will have much to contribute to our quality of life. Our so-called “hard-won progressive social reforms” have been a bleak eight-to-five existence coupled with the deliberate obstruction of cultural organisations, such as the Christchurch Civic Orchestra, attaining full professional status. Our puritans should be ashamed that their unfriendly and oppressive attitude have, up till now, resulted in thousands of young New Zealand musicians, artists, writers and actors opting out of New. Zealand’s hitherto closed society.—Yours, etc., CULTURE FOR NEW ZEALAND. September 5, 1970.