UNFIT IMMIGRANTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12093, 21 March 1925, Page 4

UNFIT IMMIGRANTS

COMPLAINT TO MINISTER. OUTSIDE BIS JURISDICTION. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND. March 20. A complaint regarding the ease with which stowaways gain admission to the Dominion was made to the Minister for Justice, Sir James Parr, by a deputation from the Southern Cross League, j Mrs Nicol. said 1 there had been cases where stowaways had been taken before local magistrates, and as the charges were dismissed they were allow, ed to remain in New Zealand. Such leniency had been shown that masters of vessels were now not taking the trouble to prosecute. i Mrs Paxton said the league was asking for an amendment to the law to make it more difficult for stowaways to remain. The Minister agreed that the queztion was 'of importance, and when admitted the careers of deserters and stowaways should be watched very closely for the first, year. If the -men turned out badly the responsibility of taking them out of the country should be placed on the. shinning companies which brought them. He thought this was the law as presented. As Minister for Justice he had to consider the question seriously, when, as stated, a icsponsibl© police officer had said that some of the worst criminals reached the country in this way. In reply to a complaint that unfit people were coming to the Dominion as assisted immigrants, the Minister said the matter was outside his jurisdiction. Mrs Nicol asked whether the Minister could not tighten up the jurisdiction given to magistrates. Sir James replied that as Minister for Justice he could not, and would not, interfere with any magistrate.