Alien Population

NZ Truth, Issue 1208, 24 January 1929, Page 6

Alien Population

J^EW ZEALAND prides itself on being practically an Englishman's country, and while a handful of alien nationals arrive m the country each year as intending permanent • residents, their numbers do' not materially increase, owing' to the annual departure of aliens to their country of origin. This counter-balancing feature is more especially noticeable with the -Chinese population. The Immigration Restriction Amendment Act ; of 1920 limited the number of Chinese immigrants into the country, and the imposition of the £100 poll' tax has kept the number well below the quota. But offsetting the hundreds who arrive annually, an almost equal number of Chinese have departed for their native shores. The rate of permanent increase of Chinese m New Zealand, therefore, has diminished year by year. ■ ; The! latest statistical returns 'show that for the year 1927, the Chinese population of this country increased by only eight persons. ,'■• , '. There are other factors which 'govern this ; question, . notably, supply and demand. The Chinese have practically • captured > the fruit and vegetable trade of this country, and the labor required m the: cultivation of produce is undertaken by Chinese. These men have nearly all b&en brought 1 out, and their poll tax paid for them by compatriots who have' lived , ; here long enough to accumulate the necessary money. The poll tax may prevent poor Chinese from entering the Dominion, but. it does hot ; prevent the wealthy one already here from bringing out V:i a nominated Celes*tial.to wor ; k for him. , • When the o ccasion arises the Chinese communities will assured-* ly increase at a greater rate.