IMMIGRATION

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 August 1920, Page 6

IMMIGRATION

THE ASIATIC MENACE

NEW PROVISIONS,

FOR ALIENS

(Special to the "Star.')

WELLINGTON, August 12

The principal provision in the Immigration Restriction Amendment Bill, introduced by the Premier is the substitution of the* familiar language test in the case of a non-British immigrant by a more elaborate procedure which must commence before they leave their country of origin. An official memorandum attached to the Bill states that persons who are not of British or of Irish birth and parentage may come to New Zealand as visitors, for business, health or pleasure purposes, but persons who are not of British or Irish birth and parentage who enter New Zealand with the intention of becoming settlers in the country are required to make previous application in writing sent by post from the country of their residence stating forth in detail their intentions, means and qualification to become settlers. If the Minister of Customs ;s satisfied he may grant a permit giving the right of a foreigner to enter New Zealand ; otherwise than as a visitor. Provision is made for exemption by proclamation of nations and races from the provisions of the. Act. Power is also reserved to the-. Minister for Customs to grant exemption in the case of any particular person. Foreigner.? who are permitted to settle have, before landing to take the oath as follows : "I swear I will faithfully observe and obey the laws of New Zealand so long as I shall be resident in New Zealand and that I will not in any manner aid or abet any breach of any such laws ; that I will not be concerned in any manner directly or indirectly in any action which would be disloyal to His Majesty the King, if admitted by him as a subject of his said Majesty. So help me God."

Unless this oath is taken the immigrant would be deemed to be a prohibited immigrant. British bom immigrants will be required to take the usual oath of' allegiance. It is explained that the substitution of a prior application for a permit in place of the education test has in cases of Chinese, enabled the Government to propose the repeal of the amendment to the Act of 19C8, containing the provision as to the thumb print of Chinese, in regard to which the accredited representative of OVna has made serious offic'al complaint. I understand, unofficially, that- this shows tin Governments' intention to fix a definite annual limit to the number of Chinese immigrants on similar lines to the Canadian Government, which puts the maximum at 500.

PRESBYTERIAN ACTIVITIES

DUNEDIN, August 10.

At to-day's meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery, the Rev. Mr. Axelsen referred ti the proposal to br'na destitute children out from the Old Land to New Zealand. A cuumitt.ee of the Presbvtery had communicated with the Moderator o? the Free Church of ScotLand, and suggested that at first they should take 25 children, who were good physically, morally, and mentally, with the idea that should the scheme turn out successful, they might take rutnareds of children and give them an opportunity in this country. The Rev. Mr. Trotter said he had interviewed the Minister of Immigration, (the Hon. W. NosworthyV who was extremely interested, and told them they had come in the nick of time. He had already made, arrangements with another organisation to deal with all immigration to New Zealand. They told the Minister they were prepared to deal with immigrants connected with the Presbyter'an Church. The Minister promised that the matter would be looked into by Cabinet, who would give its decision before very long. Tiny then saw the Prime Min ster, who received them in the same spirit. The position was that they were now awaiting the reply, which he thought would be favourable, and that they would be called upon ti d » their duty to immigrants connected with their church who came from Scotland England, and Ireland. 'There was a ship on the water now, and he hoped they would soon be in a position to do something. The Rev. Mr. Trotter moved, and the Rev. Mr. Gray seconded, that the whole matter be referred to the Presbyterian Social Service Association, and this was carried.