Reciprocity in immigration

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33153, 17 February 1973, Page 14

Reciprocity in immigration

Sir, —I was interested to learn that Mr Kirk wants Maoris to continue to have the automatic right to settle in the United Kingdom. This lis quite understandable. However, 1 fail to see how this fits in with his “full reciprocity” formula when one considers that New Zealand operates a colour bar against wholly or partly coloured United Kingdom citizens. Since Britain has no colour bar can we take it that New Zealand is going to follow suit?—Yours, etc., H. GRIFFITHS. February 3, 1973. [The Prime Minister (Mr Kirk) replies: “Your correspondent overlooks the fact that the vast majority of British citizens are able to enter New Zealand and find work without any restriction. Since 1962, on the other hand, it has become progressively more difficult for New Zealanders to take up employment in Britain. Although no comparable restrictions were imposed by New Zealand when Britain first introduced controls, the new entry rules established by the British Government this year make it still more difficult fbr some New Zealanders to take up permanent employment in Britain. An aspect of the rules to which I have especially objected is the fact that they give more favourable treatment to some New Zealanders than to others on grounds of ancestry alone.”]