Islanders reply to criticism

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34132, 20 April 1976, Page 7

Islanders reply to criticism

fXZ Press Association) WELLINGTON. Wellington Pacific 1 Island leaders have i taken exception to remarks made last week i by the Minister of Immigration. (Air Gill). The Minister claimed that' dissension at the recent inter-i church seminar in Auckland) on immigration had been; sown by “hot heads sounding off” who did not represent| the organiser—the Inter-i Church Commission on Itn-I migration. Mr Lani Tupu, a leader of the capital’s Samoan community and the secretary of the Wellington Samoan Advisory Council who was at the seminar, said he strongly disagreed with Mr Gill’s claims. “I am very sad and disappointed with the Minister’s! wild, unnecessary- and uncalled for criticism of the ! Pacific Island people,’’ he said.

I “Whether the Minister is! playing a kind of political! game or launching psycho-! (logical warfare I am not! I sure,” said Mr Tupu. He said he was fully sup- j (ported by the Island groups! (which took part in the semi-! nar. They had attended with! (open minds and with a hope; (that they could establish! “real dialogue” with Mr Gill! i and the Government about! (the problem of overstayers. While not denying that! (some Islanders had over-i (stayed their temporary per-j mits, Mr Tupu challenged the! “more than 12.000" figure! quoted by Mr Gill, and! sought a breakdown into! nationalities. Mr Noa Nawalowalo, a! Fijian community leader ini Wellington, who agreed with! Mr Tupu, said his particular, concern was the dawn raids| in search of overstayers. He! hoped that many of thej ' problems could be discussed j .when the Inter-Church Com-! i mission and other Island! groups met the Minister on! .Mav fi.