Back to visas

Press, 21 February 1987, Page 20

Back to visas

The reintroduction of a requirement for visas for Fijians, Western Samoans, and Tongans to enter New Zealand is undoubtedly the right course. Since December, the Government has allowed the citizens of these three countries to enter New Zealand as visitors for three months without visas. About 5000 Tongans, 4500 Western Samoans, and 2000 Fijians have come under the arrangement, some on chartered flights. The numbers showed no sign of slowing and there appears to be very good reason to believe that many had no intention of returning according to the terms ‘of their entry. The capacity of New Zealand to determine its immigration was suddenly at stake. Those who come from the Pacific islands for education or medical treatment have to apply for other entry arrangements. Yet a number of Auckland schools have had the numbers of Pacific island students increase dramatically. Under the Education Act, schools are required to enrol those who apply, regardless of their immigration status. Some of the newcomers have little skill in English and the numbers are straining the schools’ resources for teaching. Medical services have also been in greater demand by the visitors, and services have been sought for work and training programmes from the Labour Department. Thd figure tot Western Samoans who came in December, 1985, was about 1800. The numbers of Fijians coming this year has been 90 per cent to 100 per cent higher than the previous December and the number of Tongans arriving has been five times higher. This influx has produced some severe strains. The Western Samoan, Fijian and Tongan communities within New Zealand have had their resources stretched ps many people arrived seeking accommodation. These communities have traditionally assisted migrants from their countries with accommodation and support in finding work. The visa-free scheme is specifically for shortterm visitors. While none of those who came since December 1, 1986, may be described as an overstayer because the three months permitted entry has not yet expired, there would seem to be sufficient evidence to believe that significant numbers of those who came under the arrangement are not intending to return. Under such

circumstances there was no point in waiting until the three months ended. New Zealand has a responsibility to take migrants and migrants may suit the purposes of the country well. But New Zealand also has a responsibility to take the migrants in an orderly manner and to retain its discretion about accepting or rejecting those who would like to settle in New Zealand. The visa-waiver agreement was extended to Singapore, Tuvalu, Kiribati, and Nauru at the same time as it was extended to Tonga, Western Samoa, and Fiji. It has not been withdrawn from those countries. By withdrawing it from three of the countries, the Government inevitably exposes itself to charges of discrimination. It was precisely to avoid such charges of discrimination that the Government introduced the visa-free arrangement in the first place. It was possible to argue, and the point was certainly made, that because New Zealand had visa-free arrangements with a host of European and other Countries, the same conditions should be extended to all the Pacific; countries. The notion behind the arrangements is partly because of the importance given to tourism in New Zealand. The dropping of a requirement for a visa is seen as facilitating travel to New Zealand. This does not mean that permanent settlement is to be U ■ Because the scheme has been dropped 10 after it was introduced, the question naturally arises aboiit: whether it should have been used in the first place. Trying to treat Tonga, Fiji, and Western Samoa in the same way as other countries. avoided the appearance of being discriminatory. The Government clearly wants freedom for tourists to come and go with as few barriers as possible. However the “go” side of the equation has to be given as much weight as the “come” side. This was not happening. The influx ran the risk of distorting New Zealand’s whole approach to immigration and the resettlement of people coming to New Zealand. It was an experiment with good intentions, but had to be ended before real harm was done. Immigration is a sensitive issue both for those who migrate and for the citizens of a country which takes the migrants. Anything approaching uncontrolled immigration runs into even more troubled waters.