'Visits,’ not ‘raids’

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34086, 25 February 1976, Page 2

'Visits,’ not ‘raids’

-] (X Z Press Association) i (l February 23. I j The Minister of Irnmio "ration (Mr Gill) today) defended police “visits”, e on illegal immigrants, describing them as a t necessary part ol adi ministering the Immie gration Act. a; l_ : Mr Gill said the visits by; .police and immigration, j officials to the homes of; Pacific .Islanders had been! wrongly and emotively called "raids.” But any activity suggestive] of "police State” methods; would be intolerable in this] country, he said. “New Zea-1 landers would not stand for; it.” | It was ‘‘unfortunate but| unavoidable” that inquiries! about illegal immigrants had; to be made at times and; places considered by some to] be inconvenient — but the; people sought were in breach, of their entry permits. "Where the nolice and an immigration officer call to- : gether on expected illegal residents, an arrest only 1 takes place after propei identification and when the officials are satisfied that the illegality is actual ar.d un'reasonable.” Mr Gill said. “If we waited on the convenience of rhe suspect, a good many illegal migrants would never be apprehended.” he said. “We aim to be considerate, and are looking for ways of further refining our approach.”

The New Zealand com-, munity had recognised the ; impracticability of an opendoor policy, which allowed (anyone who wanted to to i settle in this country. The! I alternative was controlled im- ’ migration. “The use of permits is a necessary factor in the con- 1 trol of immigration.” Mr Gill I isaid. “Anyone who enters', I New Zealand on a work; permit or a visitor permit is! ■ made fully aware that he orp i.she must abide by the condi- ! lions of entry and must leaven :las required. j] “Most such people —>

(tourists and working visitors alike — from most parts of the world do observe the law. A few, however — and most of these, unfortunately, fare from the Pacific Islands — choose to ignore it,” Mr (Gill said. “No government can afford lo let a situation develop in i which its immigration re-1 ■quirements are being disregarded,” he said. ! “Anyone, of whatever; ; origin, who overstays and (flouts our entry requirements can expect little sympathy' from the Government.”