INFLUX OF HINDOOS.
AUCKLAND. December 8. An inquiry into the complaints regarding tho number of Hindoos who recently have arrived in Auckland was made yesterday by the Minister of Internal Affairs. The Minister states that investigations show that the position has been greatly exaggerated. "The information I have obtained from the 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 papers to other Hindoos who are awaiting an opportunity of securing passages to India. If the latter are leaving the country it will practically mean a total of at least 82 departures, and that Hindoos arc 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 re-
garcled as unfounded, and unworthy of further consideration. The departures ro* ferred to arc those of Hindoos leaving Auck> land. If any have left with the military reinforcements the fact will be known to the Minister of Defence. No information has reached me regarding any arrivals of Hindoos at any ports other than Auckland. lis' may he as well to point out that it is only in the case of Chinese that our Immigration. Act places a direct- barrier against people being allowed to land in the dominion. Tho Art provide? that any person of other than British or Irish birth or parentage who do* sires to land in New Zealand shall bo sul> ject to ,in education test on arrival. They are required to write out and sign in any European language an application in pre scribed form. Those who are unable to pass this test are not allowed to land. Tho question of the residence of a very large number of Hindoos in Fiji is not at present in issue, and I do not feci called upon to express an opinion in regard to it.*'
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Otago Witness, Issue 3274, 13 December 1916, Page 25
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354INFLUX OF HINDOOS. Otago Witness, Issue 3274, 13 December 1916, Page 25
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