IMMIGRATION LAWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22709, 23 October 1935, Page 15

IMMIGRATION LAWS

THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY NO PRESSURE FROM BRITAIN (From Odr Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, October 22. An assurance that Great Britain had no intention of enforcing any immigration scheme upon New Zealand contrary to New Zealand's wish was given by the Minister of Immigration (Sir Alexander Young) during the second-reading debate on the Immigration Restriction Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives to-day. The Minister of Customs (Mr Coates) said the country had a duty to its own people to see that they were first restored to industry. Moving the second reading of the Bill, Mr Coates said the legislation had been renewed from time to time. The Government was rather desirous of not continuing it, but from a departmental point of view there were reasons for its continuance for another year. Mr Jones asked for information as to what had taken place between the British authorities and the New Zealand Government regarding and if there were any proposals for immigrants to be sent from Britain to New Zealand. No one objected to immigrants, but in view of the present unemployment situation the Dominion could not absorb a large number. Sir Alexander Young pointed out that the Bill before the House dealt with aliens. Legislation of that nature was administered by the Minister of Customs and not the Minister of Immigration. Mr Coates said the question of immigration had not been raised at any of the discussions he had had with the Imperial authorities. There were those who might desire to come to the Dominion to make their own way, and ho did not think there would be any objection to people coming out here in those circumstances. There were others who might be required as factory artisans, coming out here by private arrangement with employers. Mr Jones: Are you bringing some out? Mr Coates: No.