THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY “Public Service.” WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 1947 PREJUDICE?

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 56, Issue 32898, 20 August 1947, Page 4

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY “Public Service.” WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 1947 PREJUDICE?

There is always a small proportion of immigrants who cannot settle down in a new land < and who return to the homeland. The Rangitiki took back more than 30 who had besT in New Zealand only two months, and it' is of some interest to study the reasons for their return. Most of these are the normal reasons, ranging from homesickness to lack of housing. One dis- - appointed immigrant made a ‘ more serious complaint; he had found national prejudices against the newcomers. Strangely enough the same complaint has been made in Australia; a recent Sydney newspaper cartoon shows the new arrival in 1788 faced by an abor- , iginal and his spear; in 1947 haf faces “ intolerance,” “ distrust - and “ ignorance.” ?

Such tendencies are far from being general in either Australia and New Zealand but that they exist at all when the. two countries are crying out for manpower and population is disturbing. It suggests there is still too big a tendency to regard the new arrival as a competitor for jobs, as a virtual alien. The history of New Zealand’s settlement should confound that short-

sighted tendency and should be a reminder that New Zealanders

and the people of Britain are

partners «in a common heritage wherever they take up their abode.