Restricting Immigration

Hokitika Guardian, 30 May 1922, Page 4

Restricting Immigration

THE GOVERNMENT’S I’OLICY. SUCCESS OF THE SYSTEM. I WELLINGTON, M-'y 29. ; “The Government’s immigration poll- ' cv has been to restrict operations rigidly to wluil are termed ‘open nomitia- ■ lions’ and ‘applied passages,’ ” stated . th,, Hon. W. Nosworthy in the course of an interview. "Hy the former is meant that any permanent resident in the Dominion may by right nominate any person or persons living in the United Kingdom for an assisted pas- j su-»e under the regulations governing such passages, and at ruling rates. Under ‘applied passages” come those ,n----tending immigrants who are artisans, bricklayers, cajrpenter.s, fitters, larm labourers, and domestics and who are approved alter application to the High Commissioner. At- present, owing to the existing oomiuen-ial. industrial, and financial conditions, and tin consequent absence of employment oller- . ing, nil “applied passages’ have been temporarily suspended, except as regards domestic servants. It is an interesting fact that since Hie immigration policy was widened in 1921) Irupi the rest! ieted to the open nomination system, several employers have taken advantage of the opportunities offered

and not only have industries benefited but ulso immigrants have toon immedi-

ately absorbed in occupations profitable to them, and have become a permanent economic asset to the country. “Briefly stated,” the Minister continued, "the exact pi .sitinn to-day is practically none but immigrants nominated are being accepted by the High Commissioner, ami under the icqmreincnts of this scheme, the nominator

must sign an undertaking to provide employment and make piovision for the maintenance of the in-mime on the lat-tci-'s si rival rili the Dominion. In 99 per cent of the cases this undertaking lias been carried out to the satisfaction of t'.’e Department. The medical exuniillation of all upplic itits is most stringent, and there is. a rigid onfnrrc-nu-iiL of the Departmental regulations, as follows:

“Unhealthy person- should not he nominated, as passages at reduced lutes will not lie granted them. AA hen eases of lung, chest, or other like com-

plaints are discovered in any member (,f a family by tile medical officer at l.uiidoii i r Liverpool, the whole family will l-e prevented l'j-i.'iu sailing.” “.Several comments have lately lie'll made by persons, or on lie'll'lf of org illations. regarding tin.-, physique and suitability of some of I he’ immigrants -did have been arriving,*' Mr Nosworthy went on. "It has also been said that the new arrivals in many instances ii.-ive had no homes or ai-coininodiitie.il to w!ii: h (o proceed, and also that 50 Government assisted immigrants had recently applied to the steward of the lonic to lie allowed to work their pas-

sages hack to England. 1 wish to. give these statements a must emphatic i eni.il, an ( [ to challenge those responsible for them to prove thin. There is qh- I selutely no ground for the complaints. ] The L'nder-Seeretary of Immigration, j who bus been present at the medical inspections hy the Government Health Officers in New Zealand of all imii'igrants on all ships on arrival during the lust three years lias no hesitation instating that far from being of poor physique and medically unfit, the assisted new arrivals in cv. ry respect should prove n worthy acquisition to the Dome inn's l opiilaiion. So far as accommodation and employment arc concerned, the Immigrtion Department can, upon application, supply the name and address of the person to whom every Government immigrant is proceeding, and the name of the employer. T-e absurdity of the statement that many immigrants were returning to Great Britain can he realised when 1 stale that no one cun leave t’’e Dominion Tor Britain without a passpoil and in the case of a new arrival fronv overseas applying for a passport such application bus to he ( inlor-eil by the Immigrati li Department before it is granted.