THE HINDU INFLUX

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2950, 9 December 1916, Page 10

THE HINDU INFLUX

POSITION GREATLY EXAGGERATED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, December 8. Inquiry into complaints regarding the number of Hindus who recently have arrived in Auckland was made yesterday by. the Minister of Internal Affairs, who is now visiting the city. The Minister states that investigations show that the position has been, greatly exaggerated. "Information 1 have obtained from the Collector of Customs," said Mr. Russell, "shows that during the year ended November 30, there arrived in Auckland 84 Hindus, whilst 18, departed. Mr. Ridings informs me that 14 more Hindus arc about to leave Auckland for India, and that he has issued between 50 and 60 sets of identification papers to other Hindus, who also are awaiting the opportunity of securing passages to India. If these latter are leaving the country it practically will mean a total of at least 82 departures, and that the Hindus aro leaving New Zealand as rapidly as they arrive. Consequently the cry "raised in some quarters lately that there is a prospect of a Hundu invasion from Fiji may be regarded as unfounded and unworthy of .further consideration. The departures referred to are those of Hindus leaving the port of Auckland. If any have loft with the military Reinforcements the fact will be knoivn to the Minister of Defence. No information has reached me regarding any arrivals of Hindus at any portsi other than Auckland."' - \ "It may be as well to point out." added the Minister, "that it is only in the case of Chinese that our Immigration Act places a direct barrier against people, beimi allowed to land in tlio Do- ; minion. The Act. provides that anv person of other than British, or Irish birth or parentage, who desires to land in New Zealand, shall be subiect to an education test on arrival. They, aro required to write out and sign in any European language an application, in a prescribed form, and those who are unable to pass this tost are not allowed to" land. ... The question of residence of » very large number of Hindus in Fiji is not: at present at issue, and I do_ not feel called'upon to express an opinion in regard to it." '

There is a road from tho ere to Hie heart that does not go through the intellect. Men never dispute that the hawthorn says-the brightest and wittiest thing about the spring.—Chesterton. •. A donation of 2s. for the IVesli Air Fund has heen received from "B B " Wellington South. During the Christmas and New Tear holidays admission to the platform of the rhorndon railway station has been restricted . to between certain liours, and then a platform or passenger ticket has to be presented. Mr. E. J. Barnett,' M' -Willis Street, advertises for. sale a small farm of 73 acres at Paraparaumu. 1 The Waivarapa. Amateur Athletic CluVs sports and- cycling carnival will be held at the Park Oval, Masterton, on Boxing Day. Entvies for, Tunning and cycling events close on Tuesday next.