Mr Bartho defended

Press, 13 April 1978, Page 10

Mr Bartho defended

PA Wellington, The Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) has defended the right o( his South African son-in-law. Mr Francis Barthu, to be granted permanent residence in Newi Zealand. “His presence here is en-i tirely in accordance with' rules that have been adminis-, tered bv successive governments, including the Labour Government," he told a press] conference. Mr Muldoon had been i asked to comment on recent; statements by Mr Prebble. who has asked why the Immigration Department had allowed Mr Bartho to stay in

i.New Zealand while other, visitors who had marired • New Zealanders had been i told to leave. i Mr Muldoon said Mr . Bartho had applied for per- • manent residence in New, • i Zealand while he was still' , overseas. •i “It is necessary — and the; : department has had many, •cases — when someone' • wants permanent residence • after coming on a visitor’s. > | permit to go away and comC| back again, and make their] : application from outside,” he I t said. “That rule has been there] - for years — 20 years, accord-] I ing to my records.” i Mr Muldoon said Mr:

•, Bartho had come to New Zea1' land in 1976 as a visitor. : “He came to visit his New i Zealand relatives, one of ■ whom is my other son-in-law. “He met my daughter, •, stayed for some time, went 1 away before his permit ex- ] pired and. met her again over- : seas.” •I While they were both overs'seas. they had both gone to > South Africa and had met >1 Mr Bartho’s parents, Mr Mul:jdoon said. - “She came home, and he ■ldid what anyone else should do who abides by the rules r — he applied for a temporary • permit, to become permanent ] when he got married,” Mr : Muldoon said.