10,000 illegal immigrants

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34127, 13 April 1976, Page 7

10,000 illegal immigrants

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, The number of illegal t lmmigrants in New ZeaHi was estimated to be tween 10,000 and 32,000, the Minister of Immigration (Mr Gill) said at the week-end. About two-thirds of illegal •migrants were Islanders, and most of the others were British. said Mr Gill. His estimate, he said, was based on statistical information and the knowledge that some people came into New Zealand illegally by saying they were Australians when they were not. Mr Gill announced a new e . l ?? e under which many of the illegal immigrants will be given the opportunity to disclose themselves without fear of prosecution. The announcement, made by the Minister at a seminar on immigration in Auckland came as cold comfort to

Island leaders, who expressed full hopes for a full amnesty for illegal immigrants. A Samoan delegate at the Seminar, Mr S. S. Nuimata, said that illegal Island immigrants were waiting to hear from their leaders before they did anything. A meeting after the seminar passed a resolution to dissociate itself from the register until the criteria for full citizenship were more fully explained, said Mr Nuimata. He said it was unlikely anyone who did not think he would qualify for full citizenship would come forward. The overstayers will be required to give their names, addresses, passport numbers, and employers’ names and addresses. The Citizens Association for Racial Equality wrote to the Minister, urging him to rethink about the register for illegal immigrants. The association’s secretary, Mr W. D. Williams, said the scheme was impractical.