IMMIGRATION POLICY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22136, 14 December 1933, Page 6

IMMIGRATION POLICY

EXTENSION OF RESTRICTION GOVERNMENT WATCHING ‘ ( POSITION (Per United Press Association.), WELLINGTON, December 13. The Government’s policy in respect to the limitation of immigration was outlined in the House of Representatives to-day by Mr J. G. Coates, who made it clear that every precaution was taken to exclude persons who might swell the roll of unemployed or otherwise become a charge on the taxpayer. Mr Coates, moving the second reading of the Immigration Restriction Amendment Bill, said it provided for a continuance of the 1931 Act which would otherwise have expired at the end of the present month. That Act had been passed in view of the economic depression for the purpose of restricting the immigration of persons who might become a charge upon the public. It had been hoped at that time that conditions would have improved by the end of this year and that the restrictions would no longer have been necessary; but although there were signs that the depression was gradually lifting it was considered advisable that the Act should be continued in force for another two years. Continuing, Mr Coates said it had not been considered necessary to bring into operation Section 2 of the 1931 Act—namely, the provision for making regulations prohibiting the landing in New Zealand of persons of any specified nationality or race or of any specified class or occupation, or limiting the number of any such persons , that might land in New Zealand during any specified period. It was, however, desirable that power to make such regulations should remain in force,, in case there might be need to use it during the continuance of the Act. It was still necessary for persona not of British birth and parentage to obtain permits to enter New Zealand.

“In administering the regulations,” the Minister said, “it has been the general practice not to grant permits to applicants\desirous of coming to New Zealand for the purpose of seeking work if it is considered probable they will become a charge upon the unemployment' funds or upon charitable organisations. Every discretion is, however, used to avoid undue restrictions on the immigration of other persons. Persons born in New Zealand, bona fide tourists, commercial travellers, and persons under a definite contract of employment are admitted.” After quoting statistics of the arrivals and departures of persons of British birth and parentage during the last two years, Mr Coates said that the number of migrants between various countries had of course been lessened in recent years owing to the prevailing economic conditions. It was anticipated, however, that as conditions improved the arrivals in New Zealand would again, as usual, exceed the departures. Mr Walter Nash (Hutt) asked the Minister if he could say how many immigrants had been assisted during the last three years.

Mr Coates said he did not have the figures by him, but there were not many who had been assisted.

The Leader of the Opposition (Mr M, J. Savage) said the Bill was very mild looking, but it was very far-reaching. He supposed, however, that the day would come when the restrictions would be removed.

The Bill was put through all its stages and passed.