Conservatives to talk with N.Z. about immigration

Press, 25 September 1978, Page 11

Conservatives to talk with N.Z. about immigration

P London Correspondent Cons«rvative Party officials hope to begin talks soon with the New Zealand High Commission in London to discuss the party’s proposals to cut immigration from the “old Commonwealth.” The Conservative Party spokesman on immigration (Mr H. K. Speed) said that since prospects of an early General Election had receded, he hoped to talk to the Australian, New Zealand and Canadian high commissions. “T have just returned from a visit to the Indian sub-continent and from d’-cussions I had there, I think our policy is very much the right one,” he said. - “We would like to visit Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. But there is no Government money for doing that, so we may just have to talk to officials in Lon’ don at this stage.” The party’s immigration policy was announced last April. Among the proposed which would affect New Zealanders’ entry to Britain are.—

— An across-the-board quota system.

— Strong counter-meas-ures against over-staying and illegal immigration.

— Severely limited conditions under which people from overseas could go and work in Britain.

— A ban on the per’ man ent settlement of those who go initially for a temporary stay. A Conservative Government would encompass many of the new measures in a nationality act, which would replace the one passed in 1949. The party’s plans are mainly aimed at reducing coloured immigrants. But observers have warned that they would also lead to a sharp drop in white immigration, entailing “delicate negotiations” with countries like New Zealand.

Mrt Speed said: “The vast majority of New Zealanders are probably patrial. with close relatives from the. United Kingdom.

Although the legal manner in which things are organised may be changed, those who have patrial connections with this country are outside immigration control and I can’t see that they would be much affected-”

The quota system governing permanent residence as proposed by the Conservatives would consider such matters as the state of the British economy and unemployment. The size qf the quotas would vary according to circumstances. “But of course the main concern of the American, Canadian. Australian and New Zealand governments is likely to be the large numbers of students who come for six months, then flog off their mini-buses outside Australia House and go off again,” he said. His party intended to introduce much stricter controls over work permits and was also concerned about abuses of the system.

Mr Speed said he was aware that young people from New Zealand and Australia, for example, were able to extend their stays in Brtain “simply by popping across to the Continent and being granted extensions on their return.”

“This is legal at the moment, but it is like tax evasion — it is not fair on the people who play it straight, and we would definitely tighten up in that area,” he said.

Figures published in London show that 25,000 white immigrants from non-E.E.C. countries, excluding Pakistan, were allowed to settle in Britain last year. They included 1800 from the United States and 1300 from New Zealand and Australia. Most of the New Zealanders who have recently arrived in Britain as “permanent residents” appear to have come for professional reasons, for two or three years. A spokesman at the New Zealand High Commission, asked about the suggestion that young New Zealanders are being granted extended stays

after a visit to the Continent, said people arriving in Britain were always told they must abide by the terms of their entry. “But it is primarily a matter for the British Government,” he said. “If is not illegal and the Government feels it should be, then it’s up to it to act.” “Just about everyone does it,” said a young married Auckland woman at New Zealand House. The “it” is the method many young New Zealanders on working holidays in Britain use to obtain .extensions to their visas — a quick trip to Ostend or Calais.

On condition that they spend no more than nine months out of each year working, young visitors from New Zealand can remain in Britain up to five years. When they arrive, their passports are stamped with a visa, usually for 12 months. The visa has to be renewed when the old one runs out, and that it when most people suddenly seem to take an interest in the Continent.

The more formal method is to apply to the Home Office for an extension.

“But the Home Office way takes time, means filling in even more forms and can lead to inquiries about whether you have been sticking to the conditions, the woman said. “The quickest and simplest way is to go to the Cctotinent — even if it is just for a day — and have your visa stamped for an-

other few months on the way back. “Everyone knows it goes on. Last week-end, a friend from Tauranga did it — went across just for the day, so she could get an extra six months. It must have been so obvious that that was what she was doing, but nobody questioned it. “When we entered Britain at Sheerness six weeks ago the immigration man stamped my passport for 12 months and told me that if 1 wanted an extension. I should pop across and I could get it when I came back.”

Young people leaving New Zealand for a working holiday through Europe had ttf fill in so manyforms that they developed a strong anti-form complex, she said. “When you eventually reach Britain, the last thing you want to do is to fill in more forms. “There has been a rumour going around that the Home Office is about to crack down on the cross-Channel system, and probably as a result of that an increasing number of young New Zealanders have been applying for patriality,” she said.

A spokeswoman for the British Home Office said she saw no reason why New Zealanders on working holidays should go to the expense of visiting the Continent to obtain extensions.

She said there was no intention to crack down on the custom.