ENTRY OF ASIATICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19388, 24 July 1926, Page 12

ENTRY OF ASIATICS.

STRICT CONTROL KEPT.

PRESENT > POLICY DEFENDED. ; EXAGGERATIONS CONDEMNED. [DY TELEGRAPH^—SPECIAL y reporter. 3 WELLINGTON.' The * Government's policy and practice in restricting immigration' 'of Asiatics .were explained in detail to-day by the 'Minister of 'Customs, Hon. W. Downie Stewart, in- reply to a deputation from the White ■ New Zealand League, .which asked for stricter exclusion measures. 1 The Minister said he was glad of the opportunity of replying to the exaggerated statements which had been made'in different parts of New Zealand in the last few months on the subject. The Asiatic population was less than one-half per cent. —a mere "drop in the bucket." There was no other British Dominion which enjoyed such immunity from the problem, and there was no community which had such an effective check on the influx of Asiatics, whether from India or from China. There were about 1000 fewer Chinese in the country than there were a few years ago. Mr. Stewart referred to the amending Act which had been passed to control the influx of Asiatics and said that as a result the numbers coming in had dropped heavily. In the previous year 1400 camo in, as compared with 58 last year, and this year none were being allowed in unless an permits issued; in the previous year. The Minister said he realised' the "problem So far as the 'shopkeepers were concerned. He did not know whether the. Minister of ■ Labour could do anything under the Shops Offices Act, but he would confer with ■hiin,on.' the matter and see if it was possible to do anything. Personally, all he was concerned about as Minister of Customs was to see that an effective check was kept upon any undue increase in the Asiatic population. Another Aspect of Problem. \ -

'. The Minister said he had been continually'faced with the problem of admitting Asiatic women. v If they were allowed to come in it was clear that colonies were liable to be created immediately and that would mean an increase in population much more rapidly than by other means. On the other hand if the women were not admitted immorality was likely to be encouraged. It was a matter of balancing the two considerations.

%\ Under the present law no person could gnter the Dominion from any foreign country without applying for a permit before .he left his own country and before certifying ,as to his'health and good character. : When Mr. Stewart took over control'of the Customs Department he restricted the number of Asiatics coming in to 100 a year, irrespective of the number who, returned annually to their own country; -The result was that a large waiting- list' accumulated and it was continually increasing.' This year, for various Reasons, the permit system was suspended altogether. He wished to : review the position owing to Qertain difficulties that were prising)-- partly in connection WitH temporary ' to "tourists whb came to ,tho*co,untry purely as visitors. The Gov- • ernment had reason to suspect that these •fomjJorary permits were being abused •jjfend '• iK&lf coming in as tourists,'; while : it was not always certain ' that"; they; 'were going out again at the end;of the period of their permit. Indians and Land Tenure. So far as. the Indians were concerned it was a fact that by a friendly arrangement •with-India and arrangements at tile Imperil Conference New Zealand had control of that problem. India had agreed that if she had the same right to exclude our "citizens she' would not'raise any objection to our having the right to exclude, her citizens and the Indian authorities'had acted in a most friendly way in seeking to meet" New Zealand's wishes. { Mr. ■ Stewart said he* realised the difficulty in regard to Indians acquiring land. If a law was passed preventing them frota {buying or leasing land, however, it would, ibg; a grave -offence to India and a -very ; new- departure in international friendship. He' Was perfectly certain that if such a thing Vwas' dbfie it "would greatly increase the difficulties in dealing with its problems, and it was' more than doubtful, whether the British Government would not refuse to recognise the Act and decline to grant the Royal consent to it. All other peoples were allowed to 'acquire land and always had been so fallowed. If such legislation was required s the Government would have to confer with the Imperial Government before it could venture on it. ■. > : ■■