N.Z. AND CHINA

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 48, 2 July 1947, Page 6

N.Z. AND CHINA

POSITION OF REFUGEES

“From the lowest possible motives it is to the advantage of New Zealand and Australia to be on friendlyterms with China, which, in spite of her present difficulties is destined to play a big part in the future of the world. “With our Christian motives, however, it is up to us to clb all that we can to help that great country,” said the Rev. G. H. McNeur, addressing the Dunedin Presbytery, on his work among the Chinese community. He said the time had come, reports “The Outlook,” to follow the lead of other countries, by appointing a Chinese pastor to look after the interests of the Chinese community. He also spoke of the position of the Chinese refugees who had been admitted to the country during the war, with the stipulation that they should return home as soon as possible. They had had to'remain here a great deal longer than was ever anticipated, however, and the Government had extended the permits from year to year. To compel them to return to China now would involve many of them in very great hardship, and would mean the separating of families. Mr McNeur said that he felt that many of them, having proved to be useful citizens, deserved to be granted naturalisation, in the same way as it had' been • granted to refugees from the European continent, and that such a gesture of friendship, would strengthen the bond between our country and China, which was to our advantage.