IMMIGRATION RESTRICTIONS.

Waipukurau Press, Volume 11, Issue 39, 12 August 1920, Page 3

IMMIGRATION RESTRICTIONS.

A NEW MEASURE. THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE. WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The Immigration Restriction Amendment Bill was introduced by the Prime Minister in the House to-day. The Bill has not yet been circulated, but it is understood, that it contains some very important amendments to the law in accordance with the promises given on more than one occision by Mr Massey that some legislative action ■.would be. taken to stop or restrict the influx of Asiatics into New Zealand. Some legislatioon of this chai actor was expected, and the Bill is in fulfilment of the promise given. But the Bill deals not only with the immigration of Asiatics, but of people from all parts of the world, including the British Empire.

As to Asiatics, it is a well-known fact that the education test has been a farce and useless for a long time, and it is to be abolished. A much more effiective method of regulating immigration is proposed, and the proposal applies to the subjects of all foreign countries, except those which may be specially excepted. Before a citizen may leave his own country in order to come to New Zealand with the intention of becoming a permanent resident here he must first make appli cation in writing from his own country to the authorities here, setting out certain facts about himself from which it will be poossible for the authorities here to determine as to his suitability to become a resident of this country. This test of suitability will take the place of the old education test in the case of Asiatics. It is understood that the poll tax on Chinese immigrants will remain as at present.

The most important clause in the Bill is tiiat requiring that all person,, coming to this country will be required to take an oath —in the case of subjects of the British Empire it will be the oath of allegiance, and in the case of subjects of a foreign Power it must be an oath to obey the laws of New Zealand. (Subjects of Britain from any part of the United Kingdom o>Ireland will be free to come to this

country without any restriction, except the requirement that they shall take the oath of allegiance on landing here.

Subjects of any foreign power may be required to make written application bo fore being permitted to land in this country, but there is to be provision in the Bill for the exemption from its operation of certain friendly countries to be named in proclamations. As a corol lory to these requirement for the taking of oaths there must be privisions fur the correction by deportation of p.’i’ sons who having taken the oath do not act in conformity with it afterwards. The procedure is not intended to apply to persons coming to this country from Great Britain or other friendly country for business, pbesure or health. People may come here for these reasons, but only from the countries declared to be -friendly, and their stay here must, be limited to a few months.

All these proposals for the taking of the oath by immigrants arc quite new to New Zealand, and it is understood that they are not in operation in any other part of the British Empli*.

' The Bill is t.n exceedingly important measure, and it is sure to be kecnlj debated, as it affects international all airs to some extent, and also the relations of New Zealand with other paits of the Empire. It is certain that the Bill will have to be referred to London for the Royal Assent.