ASIATIC INFLUX

Evening Star, Issue 19310, 24 July 1926, Page 4

ASIATIC INFLUX

HEW ZEALAND'S EFFECTIVE CHECK ‘ [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, July 23. Replying to a deputation from the white 'New Zealand League, which waited on the Minister of Customs (the Hon. W. Downie Stewart) to urge that the Government should do something to regulate the conditions under which Asiatics work in the dominion, the Minister said he was glad of the opportunity of replying to exaggerated statements which had been made in different parts of New Zealand in the last few months on the subject. The Asiatic population was less than one-half per cent, of the total population of the dominion. There was no other British dominion which enjoyed such immunity from the problem, no community which Had such an effective chock on the influx of Asiatics, whether from India or from China. Be realised the problem so far as shopkeepers were concerned. Ho did not know whether the Minister of Labor could do anything under the Shops and Offices Act, but he would confer with him on the matter, and see if it was possible to do anything. Personally, all he was concerned about as Minister of Customs was to see that an effective check was kept upon any undue increase in the Asiatic population.

The Minister said he had been continually faced with the problem of admitting Asiatic women. If they were allowed to com© in it was clear that colonies wore liable to be created immediately. That would mean an increase in population much more rapidly than by other means. On the other hand, if ■women were not admitted immorality was likely to be encouraged. It was a matter of balancing the two considerations. As far as Indians were concerned, it was a fact that by friendly arrangement with India and arrangements at the Imperial Conference, New Zealand had got control of that problem. India had agreed that if she had the same right to exclude our citizens she would not raise any objection to our having the right to exclude her citizens, and the Indian authorities had acted in the most friendly way in seking to »eet New Zealand’s wishes. Mr Stewart said he realised tho difficulty in regard to Indians acquiring land. If a law was passed preventing them from buying or leasing land it would be a grave offence to India, and would greatly increase the difficulties of the Imperial Conference dealing with its problems. It was more than doubtful whether the British Government would not refuse to recognise the Act and decline to grant the Royal consent to it. All other peoples were allowed to acquire land, and always had been so allowed, and if such legislation was required tho Governmentwould have to confer with the Imperial Government before it could venture on it.

The Minister said he recognised tho difficulty about tho value of land adjoining that of an Indian being depreciated ; but any differentiation would bo strongly resented by tho Indian authorities.

A member of tbe deputation suggested- the distribution, of Indians throughout the country, so that they would not congregate in one particular area.

The Minister said that it would be very difficult to do. “ I think other parts of New Zealand would object,” he remarked amidst laughter. There was nothing to prevent them from coming to cities if they chose to do so, and their movement in that respect could not bo regulated. However, he would he glad.to confer with the Minister of Lahor in regard to the shops_ question. Alluding again to the Chinese Mr Stowart pointed out that China bordered on the Pacific, and New Zealand had to keep in touch with the British Government to see how far she could close her shores to Chinese.