’Tommy Rot' To Say N. Irish Best Immigrants

Northern Advocate, 17 March 1948, Page 5

’Tommy Rot' To Say N. Irish Best Immigrants

CHRISTCHURCH, Wed. (P.A.). —There was no reason whyimmigrants from other parts of Britain should not be as good for mills and workshops in New Zealand as those from Northern Ireland, said Mr A. H. Crowther, managing director of a Lancashire cotton mill, in Christchurch today.

Mr Crowther said that he took exception to a statement by Mr C. J. Hay, chief selection officer of New Zealand’s Immigration Service, that immigrants from Northern Ireland were head and shoulders above those from Britain in ability. Describing Mr Ray’s remarks as “tommy rot,” Mr Crowther said he considered there might be some justification if he were speaking from the point of view of farming. But British operatives at mills and workshops were certainly not less efficient than those from Northern Ireland.

“Statements like the one he made do not help the position at all. “They only serve to embitter the British.” CLASH IN STREET Using fists and batons, police broke up an attempted Communist-led city march of 150 strikers. Two men were taken to hospital. Five arrests were made, including that of Mr Max Julius, Communist barrister, and Mr Healy, secretary of the Queensland Trades and Labour Council.

Among the injured in the fracas is the Communist M.P., Mr F. Paterson, who is in hospital with a fractured skull.

“While at Hanmer Springs I met several people from Britain who know the position in England and who resented Mr Hay's remarks,” Mr Crowther said.

Men and women planned a march through the streets, carrying placards condemning the Premier (Mr Hanlon), but the police ambushed the marchers on a narrow bridge.