IMMIGRATION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 16 October 1924, Page 7

IMMIGRATION.

COLOURED IMMIGRANTS. • •• - “WE WON’T ARBITRATE.” .’ (By Telegraph—Special to the Star.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 16. “One of the most important cable messages ever received in. New Zealand,’.’ was the way in_which Mr Wilford referred in the. House to-day to the cabled report in these terms. The Singapore decision was not unlike a betrayal of Australia and New Zealand, and the impression was deepened .by. .allowing the Japanese to insert the clause, in the Geneva protocol, compelling Australia aiid New Zealand to arbitrate oh the subject of coloured, immigration on the pain possibly of having the British Fleet, used against them. Mr Wilford said that if that amendment was in the protocol and we could be compelled to arbitrate as. to whether or not coloured people shall come into this country, it was a matter we, had to watch very intently. Mr Massey: We are liot. going to: arbitrate as to whether coloured people are coining to this country or not,. We. say they won’t come here unless we give them permission, League of Nations or no League of Nations, and they can do what they like. That, is the law - of this country and it will stand. The Premier added .that- he had., tele- . graphed to Sir Janies Allen telling hifn ►the opinion of New Zealand with regard to the proposal, and a reply had been received th%‘: he had informed,the Assembly of the. League of Nations that New Zealand had no intention of submitting to 'anything such sis : was f proposed. Mr Massey added that he did not know avlio had authorised the message to'which Mr Wilford referred. Mr Wilford: It is in to-day’s news : papers. • ' •’ • Mr Massey: It is too absurd for words. It is abtfblute "nonsense. It is unthinkable that British ships, British guns and British seamen should be used to coerce the people of the overseas Dominions in that -wav? That will , never happen.