IMMIGRATION POLICY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22247, 23 October 1935, Page 15

IMMIGRATION POLICY

NO PRESSURE BY BRITAIN DOMINION'S RECOVERY FIRST ASSURANCE BY MINISTERS [BT TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Tueidaj An assurance that Great Britain had no intention of enforcing an immigration scheme on New Zealand contrary to the Dominion's wish was given by the Minister of Immigration, Sir Alexander Young, during the second reading debate on the Immigration Restriction Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives to-day. The Minister of Customs, Mr. Coates, also said the country had a duty to its own people to see that they were first restored to industry before there was any revival of assisted immigration. In moving the second reading of the bill, Mr. Coates said the legislation had •been renewed fr6m time to time. The Government was rather desirous of not continuing it, but from a departmental point of view there were roasons for its continuance for another year. Mr. F. Jones (Labour —Dunedin South) asked for information as to what had taken place between tho British authorities and tho New Zealand - Government regarding immigration and if there were any proposals for immigrants to be sent from Britain to New Zealand. No one objected to immigrants, but under tho present unemployment situation the Dominion could not absorb a large number. Sir Alexander Young pointed out that the bill b.efore the House dealt with aliens. Legislation of that nature was administered by the Minister of Customs, and not tho Minister of Immigration. Mr. Coates said the question of immigration had not been raised at any of tho discussions he had had with the British authorities. There wore those who might desire to come to the Dominion to make their own way, and he did not think there would be any objection to people coming out here in those circumstances. There were others who might be required as factory' artisans, coining out by private arrangement with employers. Mr. Jones: Are you bringing sonio out ? Mr. Coates: No. The bill was put through its remaining stages and passed without amendment. POSITION OF CHINESE DISCUSSION IN HOUSE [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER 1 WELLINGTON. Tuesday The retention in the immigration legisi»tion of clauses aimed specifically at tho Chinese was criticised by Mr. W. F. Barnard (Labour —Napier) during tho second reading debate on the Immigration Restriction Amendment Bui in the House of Representatives to-day. Mr. Barnard said the jnain Act of 1908 and the 1010 amendment contained clauses which Mere extremely offensive to the Chinese people. They were not required and the position in connection with Chinese immigration was covered by subsequent Acts. Ihe Chinese, Mr. Barnard continued, were au ancient and highly-civilised people, but these clauses made it appear that they were interior to all the peoples of the earth. A day might come when the Chinese Republic would be in a position to require an alteration to the law by asking for the repeal of the offensive clauses. It would be more dignified on New Zealaud's part to repeal them voluntarily. The Minister of Finance, Mr. Coates, said it was not intended to overhaul the immigration legislation this session. The position had been discussed with the Consul for China some time but at the Government's request the representations were temporarily withdrawn pending an amendment to the Act. "1 think that is the position," said Mr. Coates, as he turned toward the Hon. VV. Downie Stewart (Government —Dunedin West). Mr. Stewart: Tho position was that we refrained from removing tho poll tax until we saw how the new Act worked. Mr. Coates said he would be glad to note Mr. Barnard's representations so that the Government could deal with them next session.