V.S.A. head hits out

Press, 8 December 1976, Page 6

V.S.A. head hits out

A lot of harm had been done to New Zealand’s relations with the Pacific nations through the Government’s policy of deporting Islander overstayers, the director of Volunteer Service Abroad (Dr D. Stone) said yesterday. He told a meeting of the Christchurch Rotary Club that the present immigration policy had had a disruptive effect both at home and abroad. “Much of the harm done was unnecessary,” , said Dr Stone. “The Government made no real effort to study the issue before making a final decision to send these people home. There was also no real consultation with Is-

iland Governments, to find an (acceptable solution.” Dr Stone said that IslanIders were understandably Supset by the Government’s policy. New Zealand had | friendship treaties with (Samoa and Tonga, which included clauses relating specifically to ' special relations between New Zealand and these countries. These treaties had been drawn up partly to allay the fears of many Islanders about their position after their countries became independent. “The present actions of the New Zealand Government are seen as being unfriendly, and many Islanders are asking themselves where

this special relationship has gone.” Tens of thousands of New Zealanders were living and working in Australia, in spite of there being about 300,000 unemployed there. “I ask you, how would we| react if Mr Fraser suddenly; decided to put a stop to this, and 50,000 to 60,000 New Zealanders were sent home tomorrow?” Dr Stone said that, the Government had to look at New Zealand’s relations with her Pacific neighbours as a whole. Fragmenting and compartmentalising policies on transport, immigration, trade and aid might lead to serious conflicts in overall goals.