THE IMMIGRATION BILL.

Timaru Herald, Issue 170297, 16 August 1920, Page 6

THE IMMIGRATION BILL.

The Immigration Bill now before tiie House promises to be an improvement on existing legislation. The education test, which has been' useless for restrictingthe arrivals of Chinese and Hindus; has been abolished, and a system provided in its place una or which these people, if tliey wish to become permanent residents of i\ ew Zealand, must make application. in "writing- to the dominion authorities Irom their own countries, setting- forth certain facts about themselves, before permission is granted. If they have the same experience as other correspondents it will take them, a long, long time to get any definite reply from the Government Department. If the delays induce them to give up the idea of becoming immigrants fewpeople 121 this country -will grieve, but, in theory at least, there -will be no invidious aspect to this system to ■which Hindus, as fellow .subjects of the British Empire, would have reason to object. The same procedure wi.l be adopted towards all foreign and native peoples except such foreign races as may be specially exempted from it. It is an ingenious plan, but India may not be prevented fuoin making trouble if, in practice, it is found that scarcely any Hindus are admitted under the provisions while the immigrants of other countries are made welcome. It is understood that- a definite annual limit is intended to be fixed to the number of Chinese who will be admitted. One hundred and eighty-four Hindus and 510 Chinese have been received at Auckland alone this year, and that rate 01 Oriental influx needs reduction. The otlier feature of ■the Bill is the provision which requires all foreigners seeking- to settle here to take an oath io observe tiie country's laws, and not "be concerned in any manner, directly or indirectly, in any act which would be disloyal to His Majesty.'' That is a fair condition to require of those who would enjoy the privileges of citizenship. The extremists, moving- about the world to-day, whose one object appears to I>h to break down all loyalties ami destroy ail established government, are not wanted here. Some of these gentry, doubtless, would have small respect for an oath, but if tiiey taki> the oath and break it that will be sufficien': reason for their deportation. Nev.settlers from British countries will take the usual oath of allegiance. in so far as Hindus are affected by it, the approval of the Imperial Government will be required for the Bill.