THE INDIAN MENACE.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 2 September 1920, Page 2

THE INDIAN MENACE.

THIS question has of late been discussed all over New Zealand— in the press, in public, and in Parliament. Those in favour of allowing Hindus to settle in our land contend that as India is a part of the Empire, no restrictions could very well be imposed on our "colored brother." Those against their admission make out hardly so good a case ; their best excuse is to keep New Zealand "white" and to minimise the chance of any immorality which such an influx might propagate. It cannot be denied that Hindus and Chinese do good work for Europeans, work which the white man does not care to tackle. But there is a great difference in the habits and aspirations of the two foreign races mentioned : the Indian has a desire to purchase land and settle in the Dominion, thereby, it is feared, tending to further create a mixed race, never a thing to be desired. Chinese, on the other hand, wish only to make money, and when they have accumulated sufficient they return to their native land. The Hindus who come to New Zealand to do manual labour are of a low caste —there are many castes and classes among India's millions of people. Some are so high in rank that it is a positive offence to them to sniff the wind that blows from the direction of a lower caste ! There is no fear of members of the higher castes migrating to distant lands. As has been said, "our" Hindus do useful work for the "white dog," and they are inoffensive. In view of the universal shortage of labour it might be unwise to totally prevent Indians landing in New Zealand. Still we maintain that the number allowed to come to our shores should be limited on an European population percentage basis. By this method no offence would be offered to India and there would be no danger of the Dominion being overrun by her people. The contention that New Zealand should give free admittance to numberless Hindus because India is part of the Empire does not seem to us to be sound argument. Empire or no Empire it would be wrong that numbers of Asiatics (or other foreigners) should come so our "freeland" and participate in the advantages and benefits New Zealand offers after all the fighting, pioneering and work of settlement which has been done solely by Europeans. Let Parliament definitely limit the number of Hindus to be admitted each year, and there will be little need of fear of any mischief. In regard to Chinese, any restriction might be relaxed somewhat, because these people only come to get our gold ; past experience has proved that they have no desire to adopt the colonies as a permanent home : if any die out here their bones are removed to China. There is in existence an Asiatic Restriction Act, but this measure does not go far enough —it allows any number to land so long as they pass the "education test," which in itself is simply a farce.