LANGUAGE TRICKS
TESTS FOR IMMIGRANTS. Sydney, April 5. The fact that out of all the would-be immigrants examined by the Federal authorities under what is known as the dictation test last year none passed recalls the story of the Dutchman who tried to get into Sydney. He was known to be a great linguist, and fears were entertained that he might pass any language test the customs people could devise. But he did not get in for one of the officers of the department was an Irishman, and the Dutchman was given a dictation test in Gaelic. He certainly appealed on- the ground that Gaelic was not recognized as a European language, but the appeal failed, and he had to leave. When it comes to a pinch, even if unwanted persons did pass one test successfully, a second would most certainly be devised to “plough” him. Therein lies the beauty and the utility of our Immigration Act, so it is no wonder nobody passes.
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Bibliographic details
Southland Times, Issue 20488, 16 May 1928, Page 11
Word Count
164LANGUAGE TRICKS Southland Times, Issue 20488, 16 May 1928, Page 11
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