IMMIGRATION

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 143, 14 December 1933, Page 11

IMMIGRATION

RESTRICTING BILL

PASSED BY HOUSE

FEWER ARRIVALS

The Immigration Restriction Amcndmcnt^Bill, which extends the provisions of the existing law in reference to tho exclusion of immigrants from New Zealand/was passed by tho House of. Representatives last night. In. moving the second reading, the Minister of Customs (tho Et. Hon. J. G. Coates) said that the Bill provided for the continuance until December 31, 1935, of the Immigration Restriction 'Amendment Act, 1931, which would otherwise expire on December 31 next. That Act had been passed in view of the economic depression.for the purpose of restricting the immigration of persons who might become a charge upon the public. "It was hoped at that time that tho iconditions would have so improved by ,the end of this year that the restrictions would be no longer necessary; but, although there aro signs that tho depression is gradually lifting, it is considered advisable that the Act should be continued in forco for another two years," said Mri Coates. ' "I may say that it has not been considered necessary to bring into operation Section 2 of the 1031 Act, namely, the provision fo/ making regulations prohibiting tho landing in New Zealand of persons of any"specified nationality or race or of . any specified class or occupation, or limiting the number of any such' persons that may land in New Zealand during any specified period or periods. It is, however, desirable that the power to make such regulations should remain in force in case there may be need to use it during the continuances of the Act. ■. ~-J . : ■ . "Section 3 of tho 1931 Act provides that 'no person to whom this section applies shall land in New Zealand unless he is in possession of a permit to land therein granted by tho Minister or.by some person appointed by the .Minister to grant such permits.' This section was brought into- operation by regulations dated April 23,1931. These regulations..were subsequently amended and replaced by the present regulations ■which were gazetted on March 17, 1932. The . regulations apply to all persons arriving in New Zealand to whom, whether by reason of British birth and parentage or otherwise, Part I of the Immigration .Restriction Amendment Act, 1920, does not apply. Part lof ■the 1920 Act provides that persons who are not of British birth and parentage must obtain permits to enter New Zealand. -. •• "In administering the regulations it has been the general practice not to grant permits to' applicants desirous of coming to New Zealand for the purpose of seeking work if it is considered probable that they will become a charge upon the unemployment funds or upon charitable, organisations. Every discretion, is, however; used to avoid undue restrictions on the immigration of other persons. Persons born in New Zealand, bona fide tourists, commercial travellers,, and persons under definite contract.of employment aro admitted. "Applications for permits may be made to the Customs Department in New Zealand, to the New Zealand Government Officer in Sydney and Melbourne, to the High Commissioner, London, and to tho New Zealand Trade and Tourist Commissioner^ Toronto. ~ NUMBERS REDUCED. "Statistics of tho arrivals and departures, of persons of British birth and parentage_show a considerable decrease during the last two> years as compared with those for the previous year. During the year ended March 31, 1931, tho total number of such persons arriving in New Zealand was 28,338 and the departures were 23,267, "being an excess of .arrivals amounting to 5071. During the corresponding period'for the fol-lowing-year the number departing from New Zealand exceeded the number arriving by 2870. During the year ended March 31 last the excess of departures over arrivals Was 767: "The two principal countries with ■which. New Zealand is concerned in the matter of migration are Australia and the United Kingdom. During the year ended March 31, 1931, 3603 more persons arrived from Australia than left for the Commonwealth, while 1084 more came from the United Kingdom than left for that country. During the year ended March 31, 1932, the balance was on.tho other side. There ■was an excess of departures to Australia over the arrivals from the Commonwealth of 2233, and of departures to the United Kingdom ■ over the arrivals from that country of 827. During the year ended March 31, 1933, there, was still an excess of departures over arrivals,, though the disparity was not gOvgreat, being, in the case of Australia 896, and in the case of the United Kingdom., 78. The figures given refer only to passcngei-3 of British birth and parentage. "The number of migrants between the various countries has; of course, been lessened in recent years.owing to the prevailing economic oonditions. It is .anticipated that, as conditions improve, the arrivals in New Zealand will again, as usual, exceed the departures." '' MILD-LOOKING BUT '' Mr; W. Nash (Labour, Hutt) asked the Minister if he could say how many immigrants had been assisted during the last three years. Air. .Coates said he did not have the figures by him, but there were not many who had been assisted. s "This is a very mild-looking Bjll, but it is very far-reaching," said the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. M. J. Savage). "It seems to cover the whole carth1 and everyone in it." Mr. Savage said there were arguments that could be stated for and against the Bill, but at that stage of the session he did not propose to discuss the issue at longth. He supposed the day would come when the many restrictions which they had imposed on themselves and other people .would be removed. The Bill was read a second time, put through the remaining' stages, and passed. ____________