Australian Exclusion Law.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7748, 25 February 1905, Page 2

Australian Exclusion Law.

MAOIUS TI'KNISD BACK TO NEW ZEALAND, SYDNEY; Feb\ 24, The Customs authorities state that two Maori shearers who returned by the Warrimoo to New Zealand were asked to write fifty words in English J the usual test) but failed. WELLINGTON, Feb, St. Interviewed ">y the I'o t. Tu-o-J'ai-pu. oiio at the native shearers ,wha were refused permission to land from the WurrinicHi in Sydney, said he and his mute went to the I'nion Company's ofliee in Wellington, and asked for two second-class single tickets. They were told lint the company would not allow natives to take out single tickets; they must take return tickets. ''l asked him what the reason lor that was," •nidHihnra, "and be said.: It's no use asking me reasons. Tin- only thing is you have to tukc a return ticket.' I naked him how long the return ticket would be good for, and he said, ' Six months;' so I Mid, 'All right,' and we took them out." Kihnra went on to say, "They tested me in reading and writing English, and I passed. They did not test' toy mate.' J

When they arrived at Sydney at 7.30 a.m. the two Maori* were locked, up on tUo lower deck', "When Uw Customs olOeor," they say, 'fcama and afiked us, 'Whore you goto?'' I said, -To liorkhanmton.' He said, 'What torV 1 said. 'l'or shearing.' jHe Raid, You will have to go back to New Zealand.' He never tested |us in reading or writing. He never ; said anything n t all to my mate. He &ud to me, "lh. Union Company should not have given you a ticket. j bemuse they know nil übout it.' I •aid. 'All about what?' but he I would not answer.' " | The two men were kept locked up uiiiil the ship left at. 1 p.m. for : Newcastle. They were locked up agam all the time the boat wan at and again at Svdn.-y, unjtilrfie had cast off from the wharf on her return voyage. "When tliev would not allow us to land,-' Kaid Ktharai, "1 turned my mind back to ■* I the white people in New Zealand. and I thought of how the while iiwople there had always treated u* same us pakcha* \V« „ re British wJijects, «nd I lliought, 'We are lust) as good uti anyone over hew. and yet we arc n»A allowed to Jund.'ii