The Star. WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1924. A DESIRABLE IMMIGRANT GOES BACK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17349, 14 May 1924, Page 6

The Star. WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1924. A DESIRABLE IMMIGRANT GOES BACK.

Fhe idiosyncrasies of the immigration system are sharply brought to notice by the case of the English immigrant who'is being sent back to England at the Government’s expense. This immigrant, it seems, came out to New Zealand in the belief that a position as gasworks manager was waiting for him at Nelson, hut on arrival he found to his “ surprise and horror ” that the gasworks people at Nelson knew nothing about the matter. If the case were not so serious it might be likened to the quest of those “ grass widows ” who came to New Zealand to find husbands who were reputed to be working on moa farms in Lambton Quay or treacle wells at Trentham. Mr Massey’s readiness to accept responsibility for the expenses of this immigrant on liis return to England suggests that the High Commissioner’s Office must be in a chaotic state, in regard to immigration at all events. Here, indeed, is a case for searching inquiry, and it would be interesting to have fuller details from the immigrant himself. The really tragic part of the whole matter is that a good immigrant is being allowed to go back to England, while there are so many undesirables who could be deported at infinitely less expense. As a matter of fact a much closer scrutiny ought to be made of the immigrants that are arriving officially and unofficially. In the Supreme Court on Monday an old vagabond, who hobbled into the Court on a stick, was shown to have arrived in New Zealand from Australia in 1910 as a stowaway', and to have specialised as a sneak thief. He had a record of sixty convictions, of which forty-four were for theft. Very properly, he was declared an habitual criminal, but unfortunately' New Zealand will have to maintain him for the rest of his life. Not long ago we drew attention to the case of another habitual criminal, a half-caste native of South Africa, who had also arrived as a stowaway, and had been a constant source of expense to the country for y'ears. We recommend the Government to deport all stowaways immediately on arrival or on their first conviction. The country needs population, hut it must he of the right sort. In that connection we think the Government should have made an effort to retain the Palmerston North immigrant in view of the fact that he appears to have been the. victim of Government inefficiency and bungling.

In swimming, lawn tennis, basket hall, and maybe hockey, women can find all the reasonable outdoor athletic exercise they need. We think that the New Zealand Athletic Association is quite right in refusing to sanction women’s races in championship meetings. Track athletics have very little to offer in tho way' of permanent physical upbuilding, and many men after a brief career on the track have broken down or permanently' impaired their health. The strenuous side of racing calls for long training, culminating in a short burst of speed in the final trial, and then an inevitable reaction, since no athlete, male or female, can remain long at concert pitch. If women desire it, they' can find really strenuous exercise in lawn tennis, in which every player, good, bad and indifferent, gains real pleasure in the pastime over a number of hours. Track racing among women, we suspect, appeals rather to those who like “ the limelight ” than to those who seek healthful exercise.

Photographs of a very' courageous little girl, who attempted to swim ashore from a drifting boat to ensure the safety' of her brothers and sisters, appear in to-day’s “ Star.” The story is one that makes a strong appeal to those Who admire resource and presence of mind, as well as actual bravery, and it may well be that the act of this young girl, living at one of the outposts on the very rugged New Zealand coast, will form a very inspiring story' for many' generations of her young countryfolk. The president of the Council of the Royal Humane Society has given an assurance that the girl’s bravery will be brought before his hoard, hacked by his opinion that it is worthy' of recognition. This assurance is very welcome, for there was undoubtedly a Grace Darling touch about the whole incident. It was, indeed, an evidence of that healthy sea spirit which is one of the most valued assets in maritime countries like Britain and New Zealand. Subscription lists have been opened with the object of making a suitable gift to this little girl, and the suggestion has been made to the “ Star ” that the fund might be employed in the direction of extended educational facilities. But whatever form the testimonial may take, it is well worthy of support.