THE NATURALISATION LAWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13485, 11 May 1907, Page 5

THE NATURALISATION LAWS.

SIR JOSEPH WARDS WARNING

NEW ZEALAND A WHITE MAN'S

COUNTRY. "

(Received • May 10, 10.48 p.m.)

London, May 10. - At the Imperial Conference yesterday, referring to uniformity of naturalisation, the Home Secretary. (Mr. Gladstone) suggested further inquiry by means -of a subsidiary conference. This was approved. He hinted that ? anyone naturalised after five years 'residence in England might be entitled to enter any portion of the Empire. ' Sir Joseph Ward recorded a reservation to the effect that New Zealand did not agree with any Imperial Act interfering with a colony's power to prevent aliens, especially coloured aliens, from entering New Zealand, which it was intended ! to keep a white man's land ; otherwise the inquiry would have his ready assent. .'"

, Mr. Gladstone admitted that the point was important, and he would endeavour to provide that in certain cases local legislation in the selfgoverning colonies should be supreme.

London, May 9.

Sir Joseph Ward, speaking at the Conference to-day, on the motion of the Home Secretary (Mr. Gladstone), in ' favour of uniformity of the naturalisation laws, said that so long as the legislation proposed by the Imperial Government did not- take away the right of New Zealand to control naturalisation, she would not oppose it, but she would not agree to any legislation that would admit of aliens after five years' residence in England being admitted to New Zealand without the New Zealand Government having full control. He: did not wish to reflect on any nationality or race, but New Zealand was a white man's country, and he was determined .to do all in his power to keep it so.- He foresaw that the people of the coloured races obtaining naturalisation in England might be admitted.in numbers into New Zealand, and this would be a most objectionable feature. He would not consent, under any circumstances, to such a policy. New Zealand contained a population of Europeans and Maoris living under the best conditions and circumstances possible, and it was essential for the children of European population to be kept free from intermarriage with alien races. '

OTHER MATTERS.

London, May 9.

In the Imperial Conference yesterday the resolutions of Mr. Deakin and Sir Joseph Ward, relating to treaty obligations were carried, also; Cape Colony's resolution, relating to uniformity in granting and in giving protection to trade marks and patents. „ ' # A resolution was carried advocating greater uniformity in the compilation of the trade statistics of the Empire, and also in company law. The Conference recorded and reserved for further consideration Sir Joseph Ward's resolution in favour of reciprocity in the admission oT ■barristers. '■.; -.•■.. . Sir , Jaseph Ward's resolution in favour, of reciprocity in the admission of land surveyors was passed.