TESTS FOR IMMIGRANTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22424, 20 November 1934, Page 8

TESTS FOR IMMIGRANTS

Ip the immigration authorities in the Commonwealth had thought in certain recent decisions to serve the interests of their country no less unobtrusively than firmly, their intent has been distinctly circumvented. A wide publicity has been given within the last week or two to the experiences of two men, who, coming from different parts of the world, sought to enter Australia. Through the unwillingness of the Commonwealth authorities to admit them and the circumstances arising out of their attitude, these two individuals have secured a passing measure of prominence for which in the ordinary course of things they might long have looked in vain. One of them, a New Zealander named Gerald Griffin, went to Australia from this country early in the present month as; a delegate to the so-called “ All Australia AntiWar Congress,” but was not permitted to land. He was .gent back with a promptitude which he must have found somewhat disconcerting. The’ other would-be invader of the Commonwealth, Egon Kisch, a Czechoslovakian, who proposed to make a lecture tour and also be a delegate to this same congress, was refused a landing at Perth, but made a determined bid for terra flrma at Melbourne by foolishly, to the injury of a limb, leaping on to the wharf from the liner on which he was a passenger. Being carried on in the same vessel to Sydney, he is now an interesting subject of attention there to the police and medical authorities and to a section of the public which he managed, while on bail, to address in an utterance against war and Fascism. Concerning Griffin, there have been reports of an intriguing nature, some suggesting his evasion of the authorities and return to Australia, and others alleging considerable enterprise in his impersonation in that land in which bis presence is officially not desired. The unwanted immigrant is indeed apt to be a somewhat troublesome person, especially when gifted with the pertinacity that has been exhibited in these particular cases. According to a statement by the Federal Attorney-general, Kisch was excluded from Great Britain because of his subversive views and association with Communist organisations, and no doubt the Federal Government deemed this sufficient justification for the view it holds respecting him. The Minister has stated also that Griffin had been prevented from landing in Sydney for the same reason, and has added that he was known to have Russian affiliations. The reasons which have dictated the attitude of the Australian Government towards these men have been less calculated to arrest attention or touch the imagination than the procedure adopted of submitting them to a so-called education test. The New Zealander was apparently subjected to a test in the Dutch language, while the Czechoslovakian was invited to show his proficiency in Gaelic. But why Dutch and Gaelic? The result in either case was of course a foregone conclusion. Gaelic is one of the exclusive ’tongues, even «n Scotland, and Dutch has no definite place in the higher educational curriculum in New Zealand. The ingenious immigration authorities might just as appropriately have examined the aspirants for admission in Hindustani, or Chinese, or Choctaw. In the circumstances the language test could be no more than a ludicrous formality. An education test has its uses as a means of meeting objections that might be raised by foreign countries against the exclusion of their nationals. But when such a test is applied, as it appears to have been in Australia in the cases mentioned, it amounts palpably to an absurdity, and is so devoid of fairness that it would be much better dispensed with altogether. Having, us they considered, good and sufficient reasons for excluding these men from Australian soil, the Commonwealth authorities might well have permitted their decision to rest entirely upon such grounds, without gravely resorting to the procedure of testing the proficiency of a New Zealander in a foreign tongue, and putting to the proof their suspicions of the sad shortcomings of a Czechoslovakian author in Gaelic.

Ovlerseas Mailt The motor liner Rangitane, which is due at j Wellington to-morrow from London, is 'bringing 1000 bags of English mail ami 250 parcel receptacles for New Zealand. The Dunedin portion is expected to Ereach the local Post Office on Thursday afternoon. Twelve bags of Australian mail and two parcel receptacles, ex (the Maheno, from Melbourne, reached Dumedin last evening. The Wanganella, whSch is due at Wellington to-night from Syijney, has 19 bags of Australian mail amt .seven parcel receptacles for Dunedin. Thip mail is expected to come to ha*-d on j Thursday afternoon. A Farmer Missing A. Press Association telegram from Invlereargill states that fears are entertained for the safety of Cornelius John Meivdion, aged 82, a farmer of Hamilton Bunn, near Mossburn, who has been missing lj from his whare since mid-day on Sunday. Malicious False Alarm Aafc 8.23 p.m. yesterday the City Fire Brigade turned out to a malicious false alailtn from the corner of Maclaggan and Rattray streets. Centtenary Air Race Pilots Jiij connection with the projected tour of the Dominion by the New Zealand contestants in the Centenary Air Race, the Otajgo Aero Club has telegraphed to the committee in charge of the arrangements offering the visitors the facilities ol the aevoilrome and stating that a civic reception has been arranged. As yet no itinerary for the tour has been drawn up, imd it is not known when the visit will jtake place. Publlfic Health Return* A | case of erysipelas was admitted to Dunedin Hospital during the week ended at rioon yesterday, two cases now remailing in the institution. One patient suffering from influenza pneumonia died duniig the week, another was admitted, and (nvo still remain in the Hospital. A case |o£ scarlet fever remains, in Logan Park' Hospital, eight cases having been discharged during the week. More. Work Campaign Of I all the schemes and appeals made to tlisi3 public of Dunedin in the past few, ,j if any, have met with a more generous response than has been accorded to tli ib More Work Campaign in the last two inonths. Although the campaign will ijot close till the end of the year, promises of work to be done have already reached the impressive figure of £36,000. This j sum represents direct promises of bmilding—renovations, painting, and personal expenditure and other means of providing extra work for tradesmen, and a casual glance throughout the city and suburbs amply proves the inestimable good brought about by the scheme. Germany Rearming Throughout Europe at the present time there fis a great deal of talk about the dangeij of another war, and a feeling of imeertjainty as to the future. Mrs Bohemil Pospisdl, who has returned to Dunedin after j spending some years in Czechoslovakia, stated yesterday that the opiniop was firmly held in Central Europe that (Germany was rapidly reaming. Mrs Dospisil travelled through Germany on hejj way to join the lonic at Southampton, and she is convinced as a result of wha(t she saw that Germany is concentrating on the building of a large air fleet. I*“ The Germans are saying nothing, but inij secret they are feverishly turning cut aeroplanes and all kinds of war material." Tribute to Lord Bledislon The [regard in which Lord Bledisloe is held iip agricultural circles in England was expressed in a letter which has been received by the Christchurch Tomato and Shone Fruit Growers’ Association from M r W. E. Browley, director of the experiniiental and research station at Hertfordshire, England, in reply to a letter from the association. Mr Browley wrote:j “I am glad to know that Lord Bledislpe has become so popular in New Zealanß. We think a great deal of him in thii) country, for he has been of tremenedous help both to commercial farmerjs and horticulturists and to the resea rejh worker.” Maoris, and Religion Two of great zeal on the part of Maoris in attending services at their own churches were given by the Right Rev. Pj,. A. Bennett, Bishop of Aotearoa, during j a sermon at St. Mark’s Church, Cpawai on Sunday morning. He said that one woman in the North Island had walked* 14 miles to attend a confirmation service] The bishop, on going to meet her before her arrival at the church, noticed, her carrying her; hoots in her hand. !,Tn reply to his question, she said that iff the boots wore out she would have n4> money to buy more, whereas if her feei wore out they would grow again. Another case was that of a young Maori who roqe at 3 a.m. on a Sunday in order that he: might do his usual work of milking a ptakeha’s cows before walking seven miles elver hilly country to be present at a chiurch at 7 a.m. On Marking Tea “It (is surprising that in New Zealand, wihere so much tea is used, so few people «an make good tea,” said Mr C. R. Brocklehurst, of Ceylon, who is at present j in Christchurch. Mr Brockiehurst ia : a tea-taster, of Messrs Mackwoods, ILtd., and is on a business visit. “ People: seem to think that it doesn’t matter jhow long they allow the water to boil | before they make tea, whereas it is of r.the greatest importance,” he said. “ When j I am tea tasting in Ceylon 1 have naitive boys watching the pots of water. As soon as the water comes to the boil i the pot is snatched off the gas and the idea is made. If the water boils for a minute it is quite useless, destroying the ) flavour of the best of teas.” Mr Brocldehurst said that he took a case of tjue best Ceylon tea back to England on dne occasion. One day he recognised the taste of the tea and he commented on it. “ But we have been having this tea ever since you arrived,” said his hostess. The only explanation was that on all other occasions the tea had been madp with “ stale ” water that had been allowed to boil for some time. Growing (of Seed Peas Pea growing is one of Marlborough’s staple imilustries, worth anything up to £IOO,OOO (in an average season. And (says the( Marlborough Express) it holds out every; promise of easily reaching that figure this year. Between 9000 and 10,000 acres will be under this lucrative cereal crop, and (there should be an average yield of 30 bughels to the acre, which is the usual* reburn, although not approached last year pn account of the drought. That experience cost the pea growers of Marlborough probably £70,000 through short This year, however, they should be; recompensed in good measure for their crop failures last season. Core of sie Earth A lectisre on the constituents of the earth’s inferior was given to members of the Auckland Astronomical Society last week by l|Mr K. E. Bullen, lecturer in mathematics at the Auckland University College. Sir Bullen said that knowledge of the earth’s interior was very recent, and it was not until seismology began to show resulLs about 1906 that rapid progress began. There were six layers below the earth’s surface. The upper, or sedimentary, layer of the crust was variable in thfiesness. The next layer was probably ipf granite, and about eight miles thick. The remaining four layers were known i n numerical terms, within certain limits, but their identification with known rocks was still subject to revision. As to the structure further inward, front the depth of 22 miles to 2000 miles therC was a surprising continuity But at 2tloo miles there was a total change off property, and evidence favoured tjhe belief that the core consisted of -(liquid iron.

The “ Tired ” Man’* Paradise Some of the “ tired ” individuals who from time to time appear in the Police Court on complaints for the maintenance of their wives would probably thoroughly approve of the attitude to work of Czechoslovakian men. Mrs Bohemil Pospisil, who has just arrived back in Dunedin after spending some years in that country, told a reporter yesterday that the Czech women do a large proportion of the heavy work, both in the fields and in the towns. As an example of this, she said it was the usual thing for the coal merchant when making his deliveries to have with him two women labourers. These carried the coal from the cart into the various houses in special baskets slung from their shoulders, end loaded with these they were often compelled to climb several flights of stair*. The worthy coal merchant contented, himself with filling the baskets—and collecting the money.

Art Exhibition Considerable interest continues to be taken in the Otago Art Society's exhibition, which is being held in the Pioneer Hall. The exhibition embodies a wide range of oils, water colours, etching, and photographs, many of the most prominent artists in the Dominion being represented, and the general standard of the work shown is commendably high. Thera are some particularly interesting efforts in the oils section, and students of art will find much to interest them in the different styles of technique exemplified;The water colours provide an unusually strong group. Another feature of the display is the exhibition of craft work and architectural design. On Saturday “ Olive Trees,” by W. A. C. Penlington, found a purchaser.

Old-world Charm of Prague The old-world charm of Prague, the capital of Czechoslovakia, has made a lasting impression upon Mrs Bohemil Pospisil, who has returned to Dunedin after spending some years in that country. Mrs Pospisil, formerly Miss Eileen Spence, of Dunedin, met her husband, a Czech journalist, when he visited the Dominion four years ago in the course of a world tour, and later returned with him to Czechoslovakia. Prague, she slated yesterday to a reporter, is a city with a population of 3,000,000, and is divided into the old city and the modern. It ia in the former that the visitor finds the greatest attraction. Here, fronting Streets which have witnessed the pageantry of Central European life for hundreds of years, many of the houses were built centuries ago. That desire of the mediaeval builder to beautify all that he touched with expressions of his own artistic personality had given to these old houses many unusual features. Such, for instance, was the custom of decorating the fronts with gaily coloured pictures of scenes from everyday life, and so jealous were the authorities of the city’s architectural beauty that it was illegal, when renovating a house, to interfere with the front of the building, A building frequently commented upon ■by tourists was the old Town Hall, with its famous clock. When the clock struck the hour of one, the figure of one of Christ’s disciples was seen to emerge from the tower and, after presenting itself briefly to retire again., When the hour of two was struck two figures appeared, and so on until, at mid-day, the whole 12 disciples were represented. Every visitor to Prague, said Mrs Pospisil, was taken to see the figures emerge 'as the clock chimed.

In yesterday’s report of the Taieri Show the results of two classes in the cookery section were incorrectly given. The placings* are as follows: —Collection oatcakes, scones, etc., Miss Aggie Brown 1, Miss B. M'Donald 2, Mrs A. C. Mills 3; collection of biscuits, Miss Mary Brown 1. Mrs James Connor 2, Miss J. Wylie-3, In accordance with usual practice retail shops will be closed from noon tomorrow on the occasion of People's Day at the Otago A. and P: Society’s Summer Show at Tahuna Park. Marie Van Ramp’s troupe of educated pigs, which is said to be the only one in the_ world, "will be on view for the first time at the. Dunedin Show. They will be seen jumping over hurdles, through hoops, blowing horns, and walking the tight rope. The act, which will be located in the side-show area, should make a strong appeal to both young and old. Donald Stuart, Limited, Slate Merchants, Experts in Asphaltic and Bituminous Applications, including Rock Asphaltes, Sheet Asphaltes, Bituminous Feltfe, Bitumens, Bitumen-Paint, Bitumen Compounds, Cork Insulation, 82 Bond street. —Advt. A. E. J. Blakeley and W. E. Bagley, dentists, Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray streets (next Telegraph Office). Telephone 12-359. —Advt. Don’t delay with eye troubles, they lead to other troubles. See the optician without delay. To give satisfaction is the Ideal of W. V. Sturmer, Optician, 2 Octagon, Dunedin.—Advt.