CAN REMAIN IN DOMINION

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1043, 6 August 1930, Page 1

CAN REMAIN IN DOMINION

GOVERNMENT DECIDES TONGAN CASE SUCCESS OF AUCKLAND REPRESENTATIONS PERMANENT RESIDENCE IN NEW ZEALAND AFTER months of close consideration by the Government, the young Tongan half-castes, Alfred and Christina Sanft, who were ordered to leave New Zealand, are to be allowed to remain in the Dominion as permanent residents. This decision has been notified to the Akarana Maori Association, which made strong representations to the Government, by the Comptroller of Customs, Dr. G. Craig.

The drastic enforcement of the Government under the immigration laws roused strong comment in Auckland. Prominent residents in Auckland hastoned to add their objections to the Government's order when The Sun led by announcing the deportation of the two young people, and by explaining the peculiar conditions which made it desirable for Alfred and Christina Sanft to take their places as citizens of New Zealand. Following this, the interest in the subject was Dominionwide. Following the expiry of the permission given Alfred and Christina Sanft for temporary residence in the Dominion for the purposes of education, both

were ordered to return to Tonga. An appeal was made by an uncle, Mr. Ralph Sanft, who pointed out to the Government that there were unusual circumstances attached to the case The young people had all their in-

terests in New Zealand, had been educated as New Zealanders, and had no home In Tonga, their parents having died. Enforcement of the Government's orders would mean severance with their relations in New Zealand. Mr. Sanft said, and the only future for the young people in Tonga wouid be to become “native.” Mr. W. J. Jordan, M.P., for Manukau, and the Akarana Maori Association supported the appeal. The Maori Association pointed out that the Tongans and the Maoris were of the same race, and it was astounded to know that New Zealand's immigration laws applied to the exclusion of Polynesian peoples. It considered it necessary to abolish disabilities in tlje laws affecting Polynesians and requested that legislation to that end should be placed before Parliament. Mr. H. J. D. Mahon, headmaster of the Auckland Grammar School, where Alfred Sanft was a prominent pnpil, was one of those who supported the application for permanent residence. OFFICIAL DELIBERATIONS Pending consideration of the representations, the Government extended the temporary permits until September 30, and ultimately decided in favour of the appeal. It is understood the case was represented from Auckland to Mr. Tan Henare, M.P., for the Northern Maori electorate, and to Mr. T. H. Makitauara. M.P. for Southern Macrk Thi l Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata, Minister of Native Affairs, is also stated to have sympathised with the appeal. Satisfaction at the Governments decision was freely expressed by those interested in the case this morning. In some circles, the success of the appeal is regarded as an official recognition of the kinship of the Polynesian peoples, though unusual circumstances attended the Sanft case. The efforts to haTe amendments brought about in the immigration laws affecting Polynesians will probably be continued from Auckland.