Govt accused of inflating illegal migrant numbers

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34127, 13 April 1976, Page 22

Govt accused of inflating illegal migrant numbers

(s>eio Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, April 12. The Goa ernment's figure of 10000 to 12,000 illegal immigrants—two* thirds to three-quarters from the Pacific Islands —was deliberately inflated to scare New Zealanders, an Island leader claimed today.

Mr C. Edwards, an Auckland lawyer and Tongan leader, also alleged that suggestions that there were 2000 to; 4000 overstaying others, mainly British, was also exaggerated to avoid suggestions of racial bias. Mr Edwards said British

citizens had virtually free entry until April 1, 19/4, and he found it very difficult to imagine 2000 to’4ooo coming in illegally since then. The battle about figures began on Saturday during a seminar on immigration in Auckland attended by the Minister of Immigration (Mr Gill), many of his departmental officials, numerous Island leaders, and others from church and industry.

Mr Edwards presented the results of a “census” within the Tongan community, which, he says, accurately revealed 2500 Tongan overstayers. It was said that a further 1000 overstayers were in New Zealand from other Pacific Islands.

After the seminar, Mr Gill said he would more than double Mr Edward’s figure for Tongans and offered his own “guesstimate” of 10,000 to 12,000 overstayers. Later, he broke this down to two-thirds Pacific Islanders. and most of the rest British.

Mr Muldoon, at a London press conference, has claimed that 3000 British citizens are illegally in New Zealand. Mr Edwards said today: “I think the figures for British over Stayers are nonsense. How could they have built up that many in so short a time? “Mr Gill told us that there were no figures as such. If it’s such a grave situation what have they done about getting accurate figures?” he asked.

Meeting offered The acting Prime Minister (Mr Taiboys) said today that he was prepared to meet leaders of the Pacific Island community in New Zealand in the company of the Minister of Immigration (Mr Gill) to discuss the Government's policy towards illegal migrants. He hoped uncertainty about the number of illegal Islands immigrants might be clarified as well as any other misunderstanding. But Mr Taiboys held out no fresh hope for illegal migrants that if they declare their presence they will be granted permission to stay in the country.

He said that once they had declared themselves their case to stay on in New Zealand would be considered on its merits. It was not his intention to contemplate revision of the law.

“Let us be clear about this. We are dealing with illegal immigrants. If we start making special conditions for any special group we are dealing unfairly with those who have met legal requirements. “If there is real merit (in a case made for an illegal migrant to stay on) the case will be dealt with on its merits." Mr Taiboys said the Cabinet had discussed the immigration question today. ‘Nothing new’ Mr Gill has announced a partial amnesty for all overstayers, to take immediate effect. He said yesterday that criteria for deciding who would be granted amnesty had yet to be worked out. Mr Gill said today: “I don’t think it (a full amnesty) would have been acceptable to the people of New Zealand." He said he had gone to Auckland with notes on the new partial amnesty which had been decided in Wellington. He had heard nothing new at the seminar. “The evidence that was produced suggests that they did not fully understand the problem,” he said. The Labour member of Parliament for Island Bay, Mr J. G. O’Brien, said today that New Zealand had an obligation to Pacific Islanders which stemmed from the country’s Christian society. Mr Gill had claimed there were 10,000 such overstayers, while Mr Muldoon had claimed there were 12,000. “Has the Government any idea of the problem at all? Do they know that it is not simply a question of figures but of human beings?” Mr O’Brien asked. Earlier reaction. Page 7. Rugby lmu«. —Th* former Wallaby rugbv flanker, Ray Price starred' in Sidney rugby league at the week-end, scoring three brilliant tries for Parramatta against Cronulla, in Parramatta’s 2S-3 win.