SIKHS INVASION

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 28, 30 January 1929, Page 6

SIKHS INVASION

MISLEADING STATEMENTS COMPLAINED OE. The recent cabled statement that 150 Sikhs who arrived in Fiji a short time ago were learning English with a view to entering New Zealand is emphatically denied by Mr S. N. Ma'hraj, president of the New Zealand Indian Association.

Mr Mahraj i£ reported to have said in Auckland that the Customs authorities in Wellington disclaimed any knowledge of this alleged invasion, and suggested that the report must be erroneous, since its reference to an education test indicated ignorance of the law. Mr Mahraj said it was absurd to suggest that the Sikhs will be allowed to land in New Zealand even on temporary permits. He stated that to his certain knowledge very few permanent permits have been issued to Indians to reside in New Zealand since the passing of the Immigration Act of 1920, except in cases where applications had been made by Indians already domiciled in the Dominion to enable their wives and children t'o join them. Even in these instances, great difficulty was experienced in obtaining permits.

Speaking of temporary permits, Mr Mahraj stated that before an Indian is allowed to land he must get l at least two guarantors approved of by the Government to undertake that the immigrant in question will leave at the expiry of the time allowance of six months. A deposit of £lO had to be made by the immigrant in every case. "It is a great pity that such misleading statements should be made," said Mr Mahraj.