Irish migrants to be strictly vetted

Press, 24 February 1977, Page 1

Irish migrants to be strictly vetted

By

KEN COATES

There is no way in which terrorists from Northern Ireland could emigrate to New Zealand, according to the director of the Interchurch Commission on Immigration (the Rev. Keith Taylor), of Wellington. He said yesterday the commission had been asked by a Northern Ireland Peace Movement worker, Ms Mairead Corrigan, to coordinate the emigration to New' Zealand of former members of the Provisional T.R.A. and Protestant paramilitary groups. There were so many safeguards in terms of strict vetting in Northern Ireland itself and conditions imposed by New Zealand’s immigration laws that there was no chance of any undesirable persons being admitted, Mr Taylor said. The commission represents both the Roman Cath-

olic Church and member Churches of the National Council of Churches.

Mr Taylor is unsure of its role in handling Northern Irish immigrants, but says the New Zealand Government is unlikely to pay fares.

“We will investigate what help is available from agencies such as the Catholic International Migrant Commission or the World Council of Churches,” he said.

“It is also likely we will arrange sponsors and look at dossiers sent from Northern Ireland. There appears to be a very responsible committee already operating there.” Many of the migrants would be young people who had joined the Provisional I.R.A. or paramilitary’ groups at an early age and who now wanted to get out.

“One boy joined a para-

military group when aged 10 and at 16 wanted out. He was kept in under threats and stand-over tactics until helped to leave Northern Ireland by the Peace Movement.” In Christchurch the Northern Irish Peace Movement of New Zealand will hold a regional group meeting next. Wednesday. One of the organisers, Mr Michael Malloch, and Ms Corrigan had passed on a list of 200 people throughout New Zealand who were willing to help. “She has had promises of support from quite a number of big businessmen, including an Auckland millionaire,” he said. The Northern Ireland Peace Movement’s Belfast office has had more than two dozen inquiries in the 24 hours since the warweary there learned they could seek sanctuary in New Zealand.