Fiji welcomes visa proposals

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33925, 19 August 1975, Page 11

Fiji welcomes visa proposals

(N.Z. Press Assn—Copyright) SUVA. “New Zealand’s new visa proposals ' for Pacific Islanders are an advance in immigration thinking on several fronts,” says the “Fiji Times.” The newspaper was commenting on new immigraiton proposals announced in Suva by New Zealand’s Minister of Immigration (Mr Coleman) this week. “For a start, they will bring opportunities for Fiji citizens to go and work in New Zealand into line with Tongan and Samoan citizens,” the newspaper says. “The new proposals seem to make it possible for the first time for Fiji people to get jobs in industry, an enlightened attitude in the face of New Zealand’s unemployment situation and one which should also help New Zealand employers. “Because ot special aptitudes, Pacific islanders are i sought for by employers for [special jobs. For example, ■ Pacific women skilled in handicrafts are in demand

for dexterious work, such as carpet weaving and pottery. “Island men seem to have particular skills needed in heavy industry. “By liberalising entry i regulations, New Zealand is ; helping to avoid the probi lems of Pacific islanders illegally entering the country and working — and living — in fear of the midnight knock on the door which sours personal and national relationships. “It should help also to prevent exploitation of Pacific Island labour. "A significant point is that New Zealand has taken into account Fiji’s worry about the drainage of skills from this country overseas. “Just who gets a visa to go to New Zealand will be a matter for both Fiji and New Zealand Governments to decide. “If Fiji does not want to lose a particularly skilled person, it would seem unlikely that New Zealand would agree to take him or her.

“This could be regarded as an infringement of personal freedon, something to be faced when it is a matter of putting national interest above personal ones."