‘Chilean refugees mostly socialists'

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33857, 31 May 1975, Page 13

‘Chilean refugees mostly socialists '

(From

OLIVER RIDDELL,

Wellington reporter of

WELLINGTON. ’ Chilean political refugees were not required Ito sign any form of declaration that they would not use-New Zealand as a base from which to become actively involved in the politics of their parent country, a spokesman for the immigration division of the Labour Department said on Thursday.

If any activities were initiated by the refugees which contravened the laws of New Zealand, that would be a matter for the police and not for the immigration authorities.

The Rev. K. Taylor, secretary of the Inter-church Committee on Immigration, said the Chilean refugees were not interested in using New Zealand as a base for this purpose.

“They naturally want to retain their culture and their identity,” he said. “But they also want to make a new life for themselves here. “MISCONCEPTION”

“There seems to be a popular misconception that these refugees are Communists, but that is not the case. They tend to be socialists, but then in Chile the extended family structure tends to create this sort of social environment.” Permission has now been given for 70 Chilean refugees to settle in New Zealand. It is likely to be several months before the 30 from Argentina arrive, but the second quota of 20 from Peru is being settled at the moment.

The refugees are very concerned not to be identified individually because, according to the immigration division, they fear possible reprisals to their relatives in Chile. “These fears may be unfounded, but they are very real,” said Mr Taylor. “They are not afraid to meet people, but they do not want to be photographed.” KEPT TOGETHER He said settlement was easier if each quota was kept together after arrival so that I they could help each other. A I single person and married i couple in the second family had gone to Christchurch i while the remainder had i stayed in Auckland, and it had been easier for the larger group in Auckland to adjust.

■ “The Press")

“These people have spent 11 months in Peru without work and in very poor living conditions, and all they want is to be allowed to work to regain their dignity and to provide for themselves,” said Mr Taylor.

The Chileans contained a complete mixture of occupations among them, said the imigration division. On the whole, they tended to be skilled or semi-skilled-people, but this was not a requirement.-

The reason for the ' delay in bringing over the group of 30 from Argentina was that New Zealand was not directlv represented there, and all the arrangements had to be made indirectly.