Immigration restrictions

Press, 14 January 1982, Page 12

Immigration restrictions

. Sir,—Nothing has ever prompted me as much as your article on Jeanne Gunning ("The Press"' January 8. 1982) to write and protest at the pathetic state of our priorities in New Zealand. It would appear that some of us have lost the greatest emotion we possess — compassion. Being single. I pay taxes of the hiebest scale, and yet my

money appears to support our “welfare” state. We seem to be prepared to keep all those bucking the system, who know where they are better off, yet we deny a family their daughter. If I knew a proportion of my taxes was helping genuine people, such as the Gunnings, instead of those who have no conscience, I would not begrudge my tax as I most certainly do at present. It is time things were taken into perspective. New Zealand will never be as it was, for as long as it continues as it is now. — Yours, etc., J. BENNS. January 8. 1982.

Sir.—As a law-abiding and taxpaying New Zealander, I feel compelled to write voicing my strong disapproval of the sheer audacity of the Gunning family and their of efforts to bring their daughter, Jeanne (who has only visited this country), into New Zealand as a completely dependent and bedridden patient. The

woman’s sister, Mrs Dorothea Strong, has stated through the media that the family needs to be together. May I suggest to her that if this is indeed so, that they return to Australia to live and thus free the New Zealand taxpayer of the $lOOO per week burden that they must carry should the Minister of Immigration allow the woman into this country. I do not wish to seem inhumane, but feel that many New Zealanders cannot afford medical aid, and thus, this is where our priorities as New Zealand taxpayers belong. — Yours, etc., v. McCarthy. January 9, 1982.