NATURALISED ALIENS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14927, 1 September 1910, Page 7

NATURALISED ALIENS.

KNOWLEDGE OF ENGLISH DESIRED. (From Our Owk Correspondent,) WELLINGTON, August 31, Jlr Stallworthy is making representations to the Government to emend the Immigration Restriction Act so as to sub-j stitute a test in writing 60 "words lrom I dictation for the test now imposed on prohißitwl immigrants, and the Government I has promised to consider tlio matter. Mr ' Stallworthy has also asltcd the Minister! of Internal Affairs whether he will amend i the 1 law eo that all applications for naturalisation shall be made in a Magistrate's Court, and shall >'not. -bo recommended until the applicant has proved to the satisfaction of the court that he has been a/ continuous resident in. the Dominion for the two full years immediately preceding the application, a'ncl has some knowledge of the English language. ,In reply the Minister states that the proposed amendment would in effect require the personal attendance of the applicants at the Magistrate's Court", which might involve some tiriieand expense. As a. matter of fact, it is not usual to naturfilise aliens without some proof that they hiive resided at least two; years in New Zealand, and evidence of settlement has been given. In other cases a much longer period ,of residence than two years is repaired before naturalisation is granted. A knowledge of.th-a English language lias hitherto :been required (is a rendition precedent to naturalisation. o />\

Speaking in the. House to-day, Mr Stallworthy, complained that at present tho test for admission was not a real one. Persons had got in who could neither read nor write..... The form of application was ■ learned parrot-like before the alien came to.our shores, and this sufficed to satisfy the immigration officer. v During the past three years 1113 persons had been • naturalised in New Zealand; and Mr Stall? worthy knew for a tact that at least'l6s, or 15 per cent., were gum-diggers. It was desirable that as a double check a person desiring naturalisation, should bo able to put in an application for the papers or should be able to answer tome questions in _ tlie . English language. He had no objection to aliens .becoming naturalised British subjects, but they should show some rudiments of education,