Working-holiday plan

Press, 31 October 1981, Page 6

Working-holiday plan

PA Auckland The Government is receptive to a proposal of the National Travel Association that regulations be introduced to allow Japanese and New Zealanders aged under 30 to take working holidays in one another’s country. The Minister of Immigration (Mr Malcolm) said yesterday that he was interested in the idea providing that there was reciprocity of numbers. He said, “We have to be cautious because we are a small, desirable country in a very big world.” He did not want thousands of overseas people . coming

into New Zealand and taking jobs from New Zealanders. He would want as many New Zealanders to work in Japan as Japanese working in New Zealand. The Japanese and Australian governments already have a work-holiday agreement. Young Japanese and Australians can work in one another’s country for year, with a right of renewal for another year. The Travel Association became interested in the scheme during a recent travel mission to Japan and Japanese travel-industry people suggested that a similar agreement be imple-

mented between Japan and New Zealand to enable young New Zealanders and Japanese to become proficient in one another’s language. Mr Malcolm has already agreed to allow New Zealand travel firms to bring in selected Japanese temporarily to help service the growing number of Japanese tourists visiting New Zealand. A few key Japanese staff are being allowed permanent residence. The Travel Association has yet to put a formal proposal to the Government. The association does not expect to do so until after the General Election.