CUSTOMS RESTRICTIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22005, 11 January 1935, Page 11

CUSTOMS RESTRICTIONS

TREATMENT OF FOREIGNERS REPLY TO COMPLAINTS [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Thursday In an. official reply to the complaints made by Mr. W. Goudriaan, a director of the Holland-Australia Shipping Line, cabled yesterday from Sydney, regarding the Dominion's Customs laws, it is stated that the restrictions imposed on foreigners arriving in New Zealand are laid down by the Immigration Restriction Act and in general they are far less burdensome or vexatious than those in foreign countries. In regard to the complaint by Mr. Goudriaan that he and his wife had to wait until all other passengers had been put through, in spite of the fact that they held a British visa, it is pointed out that it would be manifestly impracticable to hold up others until the formalities concerning foreigners required by tho Act had been completed. The responsibility is on the Customs Department to see that no persons against whom the provisions of the Act would operate are allowed to enter the country. The possession of a British visa does not entitle a foreigner to land without the prescribed permit, although in special cases temporary permits may be issued.