ENTRY OF CHINESE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 129, 2 June 1937, Page 4

ENTRY OF CHINESE

POSITION EXPLAINED

A PERMIT REQUIRED

Some doubt appears to exist in the public mind regarding the legal position governing,the entry, of Chinese Into Hew Zealand. A correspondent has written to "The Post' asking for an explanation, and a full statement of the position has been supplied by the Comptroller, of Customs (Mr. E. D. G Mr Good states that section sof the Immigration Restriction Amendment Act, 1920, makes the following provision:—

1. In 'addition to the restrictions imposed upon immigration into New Zealand of the several classes ot persons specified in the' principal Act as amended by this Act. it is hereby1 enacted that ho person other than a person of British birth and parentage shall (except as by this Act is specially provided) enter into New Zealand unless he is in possession of a permit to enter in the form and to the effect provided by regulations under this Act. 2 A person shall not be deemed to be of British birth and parentage by reason that he or his parents or either of them is a naturalised British subject, or by reason that- he is an aboriginal native or tlie descendant of an aboriginal native .of any Dominion other than the Dominion of New Zealand or of any colony or other possession or of any protectorate of his Majesty. •

"Under the above provision," Mr. Good states, "a Chinese in common with all other persons who are not of British birth and parentage or who are not of European race and colour are required to obtain permits from the Customs Department in order that they may be authorised to enter tins Dominion.

"Application for a permit to enter New Zealand as a permanent resident must, in accordance with- section 9- of the above-mentioned Act, be made-.in the prescribed form and signed by the applicant, and be sent by post from the country "Of -' origin ~ -of , the applicant, or from the; country where he (or she) has resided for; a period of 'at least" one year prior to "the date of the .application. -...,.:■•■■■ : "On receipt of an application advice is sent as to whether or not the desired permit can be granted. The granting of applications for permits to enter New Zealand is governed by '•he policy of. the Government in the light of the conditions obtaining in the iDominion, and T.msy say. that it has been the general practice for : several, years past not to grant permits "for Chinese to enter this Dominion. as permanent residents. , " "■

"Under section 8 of the Immigration Restriction Amendment Act,. 1920, provision is made whereby temporary permits may be granted to persons who prove to the satisfaction of this Department' that they desire to enter New Zealand as visitors only for purposes of business, pleasure, or health, and that they intend to leave.the Dominion within six months after arrival. Such permits may be granted for a period of six months or for such shorter period as may in any case be determined.

"The visitor is required,; on arrival, to produce to,, the Collector of Customs two unre't6uched and unmounted recent photographs of himself, and to deposit with the Collector the sum of £10 in respect of the temporary permit. The. deposit is returned on • the departure' of- the visitor if 'the condi-. tions of the permit have. been complied with. "The. Collector of Customs,: before granting a temporary permit, may also require, if he so decides, a deed to be entered into by. some person or persons resident in New Zealand \approved by him guaranteeing payment of all expenses that may be' Incurred by the Crown or any public body foP the visitor's maintenance, relief, arrest, or detention in. New Zealand or his deportation : therefrom.

"Provision is also made in the" Immigration ' Restriction Regulations whereby, under certain conditions, children of Chinese residents of New Zealand may be admitted to this. Dominion temporarily as students."

It is interesting to note, that permanent arrivals of race aliens in 1935-, 36 comprised 54 Indians, 21 Chinese, and 10 of other races. Departures were 33 Indians, 66 -Chinese, and 32 of other races. In the last ten years permanent arrivals- have -aggregated 121 Chinese, 384 Indians, arid . 217 others, and the permanent departures 354 Chinese, 68 Indians, and 152 others.