INFLUX OF HINDOOS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16873, 9 December 1916, Page 9

INFLUX OF HINDOOS

INQUIRIES BY MINISTER.

REASSURING STATEMENT.

(Peb United Pbess Association.) AUCKLAND. December 8.

An inquiry into the complaints regarding the number of Hindoos who recently have, arrived in Auckland was made yesterday by tho Minister of Internal Aii'airs. The Minister states that investigations show that tho position has been greatly exaggerated. "Tho information I have obtained from tho Collector of Customs," said Mr Russell, "shows that, during the year ended November 30, there arrived in Auckland 84 Hindoos, whilst 18 departed. Mr Ridings informs me that 14 more Hindoos are about to leave Auckland for India, and that he has issued between 50 and 60 sets of identification papjrs to other Hindoos ■who are awaiting an opportunity of securing passages to India. If the latter are leaving tjio country it will practically mean a total of at least 82 departures, and that Hindoos are leaving New Zealand as rapidly as they arrive, consequently the cry raised in some quarters lately that there is__a prospect of a Hindoo invasion from Fiji may be regarded as unfounded, and unworthy of further consideration. The departures referred to arc those of Hindoos-leaving Auckland. If any have left with the military reinforcements the fact will be known to tho Minister of Defence. No information has reached mo regarding any arrivals of Hindoos at any ports other than Auckland. It may be as' well to point out that it is only in the ease of Chinese that our Immigration Act places a direct barrier against people beimr allowed to land in the dominion. The Act provides that any person of other than British or Irish birth or parenta?" who desires to land in New Zealand shall bp subject to an education trsfc on arrival. _ They nro required to write out and sign in any European language an application in prescribed form. Iliose who are unable to nnis this tcct are not allowed to land. The question of the resident of a verv lara-e number of Hindoos in Fiii is not. nfc present in isme. n.nd I do not. feel called upon to eynrrss an opinion in regard to it."