SHARP REPLY BY MINISTER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26770, 13 May 1948, Page 7

SHARP REPLY BY MINISTER

P.A. AUCKLAND, May 12. “It is significant that when Mr Wilkins was in New Zealand he was making similar statements about immigrants to Australia, as well as about immigrants to New Zealand, and I have no doubt his statements will be refuted over there as they have been here.” said the Minister of Immigration, Mr McLagan, replying to Mr Wilkins’s statement. “ I would point out in connection with the British families which he states are returning to the United Kingdom that married people do not at present come under the New Zealand Government assisted passage immigration scheme. Of the few single people who have returned to the United Kingdom, all except one have had strong compassionate grounds to justify their return. My department maintains very close touch with all assisted immigrants, and I am advised that they are settling down well.

“We do not attach any weight to the statement of Mr Wilkins, who is apparently feeling annoyed over his failure to achieve; the purpose for which he came to New Zealand. According to Mr Wilkins’s own statement, as published in a Christchurch newspaper, his object in coming to New Zealand was to purchase £2.000,000 worth of goods for his grocery business and the establishments of his associates. In this mission he has failed, and he is now returning to England a very disgruntled individual.”