IMMIGRANTS AND CULTURE

Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1929, Page 2

IMMIGRANTS AND CULTURE

LONDON, Oct. < 10.

The Hon. W. H. Triggs, M.L.C., has just returned to London from an intereStirig visit to. the Continent. He first 'went to Berlin where 'at' the invitation, of the Empnre Parliamentary Association, he attended the International Parliamentary Commercial Conference. There were 41 Parliaments represented at the conference. Japan sent no fewer than 26 delegates, the same, number as the British delegation. Not. .only were the principal European nations represented, but couni l ies like Nicaragua* Bolivia and Brazil. The Dominions besides New Zealand represented, were Australia, Canada:, South Africa, Newfoundland and the Irish Eree State. Among the resolutions brought down by the Permanent Commission for adoption was one to the effect that the countries of immigration should make every effort to prevent immigrants from detaching themselves from national surroundings and culture, and that they should receive considerable support in their own national system of education and their mother tongue should be used in their religious services. Mr Triggs pointed out to Colonel Crookshank, the English member of the Permanent Commission, that this would not be at all acceptable to New Zealand, nor, he thought, to Australia. Colonel Crookshank explained that he thought the principle had worked well in Canada, and he then repeated the statement to the conference, but added that other countries such as New Zealand and Australia were differently situated. With Colonel C'rookshank’s concurrence, Mr Triggs strongly proteste against the resolution as it stood. He said that immigrants enjoyed the fullest religious liberty, but New Zealanders wanted those who came to settle among them, and “become of the family.” They considered that the plan, of having self-contained foreign settlements dotted about the country, maintaining their own language, would be good, neither for the country nor far the immigrants themselves. Unfortunately the Australians, were not present, but they afterwards expressed themselves in thorough agreement with the New Zealand delegate on this question. A 'Brazilian representative also objected to the resolution. Ultimately’it was withdrawn, and a wholly innocuous amendment suggested by a French delegate „adopted. Mr Triggs spoke very highly .of the friendly feeling shown by the Germans, especially towards the British and Dominion delegates, and their generous hospitality in the way of entertainments to the members of the conference.