WHITE NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12465, 5 June 1926, Page 4

WHITE NEW ZEALAND

EXCLUSION OF ASIATICS RETURNED SOLDIERS EMPHATIC MIGRATION QUESTION DISCUSSEr A general agreement in favour of a white Now Zealand policy, and the exclusion of Asiatics—Chinese in particular —ivas repealed at the Dominion Conference of the N.Z.R.S.A. yesterday, when resolutions were passed conveying these sentiments. Hindoos were described by a member of the conference as ten time* worse than Chinese. The conference also expressed itself on the question of migration from England to New Zealand. In speaking on immigration Mr C. J. Dickie (Taranaki) said that the nomination system was not sufficiently tight, and promises were received from many irresponsible people. The result was that many of the people who came to New Zealand were thrown upon their own resources, and constituted an embarrassment to the progress of the country. Mr W. E. Leadley (Christchurch) did not wish to blame the Immigration Department for too much of the trouble; for if people at Home saved enough money to pay their fares they had come irrespective of nomination or official sanction. He agreed that expert _ and thorough investigation was required; but he had lost faith in the prospects of anything tangible being accomplished by tho Dominion Settlers’ Association. CAPITAL REQUIRED Mr S. A. Carr (Auckland) complained that the nominated migrants were causing more trouble than others; for many had been responsible for turning other men out of jobs and improving the position in no way whatever. Thu operation of the British Empire Settlement Act, with the use of the capital offered by the Imperial authorities, would be the most effective way of dealing with the problem. Sir Andrew Russell said that in order to develop tho Dominion’s resources fresh capital would have to he introduced, and it was just a question as to whether there was sufficient money in tile country to supply the requirements of our own sons and daughters without bringing others here without further money. Certainly there were potentialities here which had not been developed. “So,” he said ( “let us place these before the people in the Old Country who have tho money and who are in a position to help us. Perhaps it would be wise for tho R.S.A. not to take a too active part, in the matter at present, but until something concrete was arrived at and the difficulties faced, not a great deal of pro-grese towards solution could be made. Mr G. Lloyd (Christchurch) quoted oases of men who had arrived in Christchurch in February and had been in hospital ever since. There were nominated men workless and homeless—seeking assistance. Mr W. C. Leadley: I think most of tho cases of hardship are those who have paid their own passage. If 99 per cent, were being successfully absorbed, this should he considered rather than too much being said of tho remaining cne per cent. Mr Dickie said that the medical test at Home was severe, Mid there was no reason why the migrants should not be quite fit. Certainly there wao a certain amount of unemployment at present,, hut he considered tllio to he purely seasonal. Ho had promised to give assistance to anyone in a large number of immigrants, and only one had written to him. ASIATIC INFLUX Tho fallowing remit upon Asiatic influx was tabled: “That the committee reaffirms the association’s white New Zealand policy and is of the opinion that every obstacle should be placed in the way of Asiatics entering the Dominion.” Mr C J. Dickie expressed alarm at tho spread of the yellow races in the Pacific, and said that all that could be done here was to increase tho head tax and also stiffen up the education test. Mr M. Aldred (Wniuku) said that a coloured settler, instead of building a decent house, lived in a hovel, and lived on half the living cost of the white man. Tlio chairman (Colonel H. Stewart), while in agreement with a white New Zealand policy, thought that some differentiation should be made in respect to the King’s Asiatic subjects, hut not in respect to aliens such as Chinese and Japanese. He suggested an amendment. Mr Aldred: My opinion is that the Hindoos are ten times woise than the Chinese. The remit was adopted.