IMMIGRATION RESTRICTION IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1404, 26 January 1899, Page 19

IMMIGRATION RESTRICTION IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

The Mother Colony of Australasia has an Immigration Restriction Act quite as stringent as that which the New Zealand Parliament refused to pass last year. Experience in administering it has shown the desirableness of the authorities having the power of making certain -exemptions from its provisions. The authorities exercised their discretion a few days ago and allowed some Austrian immigrants to land, although they could not pass the educational test required by the Act. A similar exemption has been made in connection with the crew of the misl- - ship John Williams. The law does not apply to crews of vessels which are only in the colony temporarily; but in the case of the John Williams the men were discharged at the shipping office, so that practically their connection with the steamer ceased. They therefore came within the scope of the Act, and as they are coloured natives of Cook Islands and Samoa, the Customs officials were prompt to prevent the possibility of the men being thrown upon the community. However the London Missionary Society guaranteed to take them back to the Tslauds. As a matter of fact the society is compelled by the Merchants Shipping Act and by its own ship’s articles, to lio so’. As soon as it was known that the discharged crew would bo re-engaged rad returned to the islands in the John Williams, instructions were given to allow the men to land, although as a strict matter of law they are not entitled to do so.