‘Pacific Way’ on quota

Press, 2 June 1989, Page 3

‘Pacific Way’ on quota

By

BRENDON BURNS

in Wellington

Adopting the “Pacific Way” of consultation, the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, was due to have arrived in Western Samoa early today for talks on reducing immigration. Mr Lange, on the Cabinet’s recommendation, decided only on Monday that he would go to Apia. His visit underlines the sensitivity being shown by the Governmetn in its wish to reduce the numbers of Western Samoans coming to New Zealand.

In May the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Palmer, visited Apia for talks. Meetings have also been held by Mr Palmer, Mr Lange and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Marshall, with representatives of Western Samoa’s Government and its community in New Zealand.

Western Samoa's Prime Minister, Tofilau Eti, who is recuperating in Auckland after heart surgery, has been consulted. Behind the polite approach lies a determination that the number of immigrants coming from Western Samoa must be cut. Last year more than 4000 immigrants came — the quota allows for only 1100. Mr Lange has said several hundred were categorised as adoptees. Yesterday in Parliament, before departing for Apia, he said some of these people were well into adulthood. There were also 6200 Westerm Samoan overstayers, making up about a

third of the total from all countries.

“That is an unacceptably high number,” he said.

The annual quota of 1100 immigrants had been set in 1982 after the Muldoon Government had attempted to curb the numbers of Western Samoans coming to New Zealand.

A case was taken to the Privy Council, which ruled that, as a result of New Zealand’s administration of Western Samoa, about two-thirds of the populaton were entitled to New Zealand citizenship. (After Germany’s defeat in World War I, New Zealand administered Western Samoa until independence in 1962.) Mr Lange is ostensibly visiting Apia to represent New Zealand at the twentyseventh anniversary celebrations of independence, but the immigration issue is the cause of the last-minute decision to attend.

He has two separate meetings planned with the Acting Samoan Prime Minister, Mr Patu Afaese, and other members of the Western Samoan Cabinet.

Mr Lange said yesterday that it was not his objective to reduce the annual quota of 1100 but to limit those who came through other categories such as adoption. Confirming that the matter was being handled in the consultataive "Pacific Way,” he said he would see Tofilau Eti in Auckland next week, before any decision was made.

Mr Lange will return to New Zealand from Samoa on Monday evening.