FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1832. " NO IRISH NEED APPLY."

Hawera & Normanby Star, Issue 336, 3 November 1882, Page 2

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1832. " NO IRISH NEED APPLY."

We were shown the other day a peculiar letter from the Taranaki Immigration Officer. A respectable domestic servant, who, we aye informed, lias for some time been steadily saving with a view of assisting friends out to the colony from Erin's Isle, lately sent in nomination papers, accompanied by the usual payments. To her surprise, she was informed by the Immigration Officer that the proportion of Irish immigrants was already exceeded, and she must hold over the nominations until he again communicated with her. Her disappointment may bo easily imagined, and the question naturally arises, Is the action of the officer warranted? The proportions of the ; three nationalities in connection with | immigration formed the subject of an enquiry when the estimates were under discussion during last session, and the Minister remarked that "the regulations as to proportions of nationalities had been in force a !number of years, and were based on the proportions of the different nationalities in the colony. It was of course impossible to adhere closely to the proportions, but practically they were followed.' ' The proportion was, if fourteen were taken, he thought, seven English, four Irish, and three Scotch, and those proportions had been maintained pretty evenly in the nominations. He had looked over the lists as they came in, and he had never seen any reason for interference. Of course it was impossible to regulate it with absolute accuracy. The nominations in Otago were largely Scotch. In other parts of the colony | there were more Irish, and in other | parts more English. So far as he \ could judge, in the single girl nominations the Irish predominated." ; In the absence of explanation, we are inclined to think that the immigration ! officer has mistaken the position. The i discussion referred to occurred a very few weeks ago, and it is not probable that any new regulations have been issued since then. From the Hon. Mr. Rolleston's remarks, we gather that the department does not insist on set proportions being maintained in every district, and it would be highly absurd were there such insistance. In Otago, which is a Scotch settlement, naturally the nominators are mostly Scotch, and it would be exceedingly unfair to insist that out of every fourteen nominations there should be but three Scotch. Canterbury is said to be more distinctively English than any other part of the i colony, and no doubt the Irish and Scotch nominations from there are not up to the allotted proportion, while the English may be above it. And so in every district there will happen to be a preponderance of a particular nationality, though perhaps not in so marked a degree as in Otago and Canterbury, and necessarily the nominations reflect it. But the thing rights itself in the end, and, as Mr. Rolleston says, while it is of course impossible to adhere closely to the proportions, there has hitherto been no cause for interference. We are therefore inclined to think that the immigration officer at New Plymouth has overstepped his duty in the case referred to. There is another consideration which leads to the same conclusion. Even supposing the Irish nominations do largely exceed their due proportion in the aggregate for the colony, the authority to reject nominations should be the Minister. Tor ourselves, speaking on the general question, we do not see any weighty reason for. imposing a restriction as to nationality. If colonists of a particular nationality are more thrifty or more thoughtful than those of others, why should they not be allowed to introduce their friends into the colony without let or hindrance. We cannot hare too many of the same stock. It is 1 theindus-

trious and saving settler bound to the colony by ties of kindred, who will soonestlearn, that though he comes of Irish or English or Scotch descent, and may glory in the fact, for the future he and his must look forward to being sons and daughters of the great New Zealaud nation. ~ However, if there must be regulations as to the ' proportion of each nationality, let the regulations be administered in as conciliatory a spirit as possible, In, the case under notice, granted that the immigration officer was right in what* he did,. would it nqjs have been better to infdrin the' applicant that, though there must be a little delay, her nominations would be forwarded by a succeeding mail ?, , ,