U.S. IMMIGRATION METHODS

Shannon News, 16 December 1924, Page 1

U.S. IMMIGRATION METHODS

THIRD DEGREE TEST.

The story of a New Zealander's adventures in Canada and the United States of America in dodging the Federal immigration officials, was related to an Auckland “Star” man by a gentleman who formerly resided in Palmerston North, and who has spent over two years in those countries. Leaving the Dominion with the intention of taking up land in the north-western territory of Canada, the New Zealander, had. high hopes of acquiring a “stake”, and , settling down to a period of hard work, and prosperity. His imagination' had been' fired by the tales of an/ex-corporal ofthe Canadian Royal North West Mounted Police, who is 'now a special writer on a New Zealand newspaper. Arriving in Canada, with , only a permit in his. pocket, havng omitted to procure a, passport, the Maorilander thought he would have to confine his travelling activities to Canada. Making his way north, somewhere between 50 degrees and 60 degrees, he found that the glowing picture which the ex-corporal had painted of distant fields all verdant with promise had been - somewhat overdrawn. The bottom had fallen out of the market after the post-war boom period, and the pioneer agriculturists were hav-. ing a very hard time. Very few appeared to be making, good, and living conditions were far harder than .those known in New Zealand, even in the far backblock settlements. This did not appeal to the wanderer, who decided to make a bid for the United States and try conditions .there. The lack of a passport made it difficult. However, he essayed to "run a bluff,’’ as they say over there. Dubbed An Alien.

Boarding a train scheduled to cross the border, he sat tight and awaited (developments. The immigration people came along and demanded a passport. -The New Zealander told a hard-luck story about a fire and lost possessions, but it was “too tall” for the Americans, who dubbed him an “alien,” and bundled him unceremoniously into gaol, where he remain, ed for several hours till another train going north happened along, and he was placed aboard with instructions to get back and not try it again. Try .it again, he did, however, a short time after. The Maorilander sat down quietly in a Calgary-hotel, and began to formulate his plans. A'Stranger struck up a conversation, eventually volunteering the information that he too, was going to the States. The “alien” told the Canadian of his pre-. dicament, and together they started out gp their journey. Having learned a lesson by reason of his first experience, the New Zealander was careful not to wear anything which might betray his nationality. He cut the tags off his boots, pulled the name of a Palmerston North outfitter off his necktie, wore a Canadian-made collar, and cut the tailor’s name from inside coat and waistcoat. Betrayed By His Spectacles.

But he had not reckoned on his spectacles. They were of the pincenez type, popular in this country, and when the immigration officials boarded the train these typically-English “specsi” aroused suspicion. For miles and miles the New Zealander had been practising nasal Canadian, with many a “guess” and “I calculate,” but the bluff was imperfect. The immigration officers took the spectacles and made a minute examination, the New Zealander protesting the while that he was Canadian-born, but had been educated in England. For a quarter of an hour they put him through a gruelling "third degree” test, asking him to spell “Mississippi,'’ and what was the last letter in the American alphabet, what was the name of the mayor of the small town he had, named as his birthplace,..and who lived at No. 28, Main Street. The New Zealander gave the correct' answer to all but the latter, and it transpired there wasn’t any No. 28. In America, by the way, "z” is (mls)pro'nounced “zer.” Blackmailed. However, haying arrived on American soil, the troubles of the adventurer were not over. His Canadian friend turned out to be a blackmailer, thriving on this sort of business. He threatened exposure, * and would have rung the police if the New Zealander had not passed over 26 dollars “just to go on with." The false friend hung closer than a brother, and shared the same room with the traveller, who ended the unhappy alliance by packing up late one night and; making a discreetly silent exit' while his undei sir able acquaintance slept.

After j making a tour of the Pacific States, where he made some honest money by following his trade, the New Zealander decided that there was no place like home, and tried hard to procure a passport, but without success, _ the .British consul being afraid to .offend the Federal authorities. Eventually, our informant .found an open door via British Columbia, and now rejoices to find himself back in a country where he is not regarded with suspicion. Incidentally, he wears horn-rimmed goggles. CALENDARS FOR *1925. Retailers who display Fluenzol or Q-tol should write to P.O. Box 1018, Wellington, for Card Calendars for issue to their customers. A halfpenny postcard will do ill