EMIGRATION

Hokitika Guardian, 3 December 1938, Page 5

EMIGRATION

N.Z. ATTITUDE. (Per Presi Association—Copyright). CHRISTCHURCH, December 2. The practice of . the Government at present is to discourage the immigration of persons not of British birth; according to a statement recently received from the Hon.. Walter Nash by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, and transmitted to the CanterburyChamber. Mr Nash’s letter, a copy of which was received by th'e Canterbury Chamber last evening, was as follows :

“Undeg the provisions of the Immigration Restriction Amendment Aot., 1920, all persons who are not of British birth and parentage desiring to enter New Zealand are required to make an application for a permit in the prescribed form, which should be accompanied by the certificates of health and character and the photographs required thereby. Upon receipt of an application, advice is sent .as to whether or not the desired permit can be granted. “I may say that before coming to a decision as to whether or not a permit is to be granted, full consideration is given to the'merits of the case under review. It is the practice at the present time, however, to discourage the immigration of persons who are not of British birth and parentage, and permits are granted only wffiere exceptional circumstances are shown to exist ”

The , Auckland Chamber reported that it had recommended to the Minister the f removal of obstacles to the entry, of those, who,; after due inquiry were found likely to prove desirable New Zealand citizens.

“I may say,” said the president, Mr W. S. Mac Gibbon, “that this report is in exactly the same terms as replies given to private individuals who have asked about immigration.”