IMMIGRATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 August 1920, Page 5

IMMIGRATION.

STRICTER SUPERVISION.

DRASTIC PROPOSALS MADE. LOYALTY AIMED AT. (By Wire.—Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Last Night.

The Immigration Restriction Amendment Bill was-'introduced by the Prime Minister in the House to-day. The Bill has not yet been circulated, but it is understood that it contains somo very important amendments to the law, inaccordance with the promises given on more than one occasion by Mr. Masaey that some legislative action would be taken to stop or restrict the influx of Asiatics into New Zealand.

Some legislation of this character was expected, and .the Bill is in fulfilment of the promise given, but the Bill deals not only with tie immigration of Asiatics, but of people from all parts of the world, including the British Empire. As to Asiatics it is a well-known fact that the education test has been a farce and useless for a long time, and it Is to be abolished. A much more effective method of regulating immigration is proposed, and the proposal applies to subjects of all foreign countries except those which may be specifically excepted. Before a citizen may leave his own country ,in order to comS to New Zealand with the intention of becoming a, permanent resident here, he must first make application in writing from his own country to ,tbe authorities here, setting out certain facts about himself, from which it will be possible for tile authorities here to determine as to his suitability to become a resident of this country. This test of suitability will take the place of the old education test in the case of Asiatics. It is understood that the poll tax on Chinese immigrants will remain as at present. The most important clause in the Bill is that requiring that all persons coming to this country will be required to take an oath. In the case of subjects of the British Empire it will be the oath Qf allegiance, and in the case of subjects of a foreign Power it will be an oath to obey the laws of New Zealand. Subjects of Britain from any part of the United Kingdom or Ireland will be free to come to this country without any restriction, except the requirement that they shall take the oath of allegiance on landing here. Subjects of any foreign Power may be required to maker written application before being permitted to land is this country, but there is to be provision in the Bill for the exemption from it» operation of certain friendly countries to be named in proclamations.

As a corollary .to these requirement* for the taking of oaths thsre must be provisions for the correction by deportation of persona ivho, hr-.viufj taken the oath, do not act in conformity with it afterwards.

The procedure is not intended to apply to persons coming to this country from Great Britain or other friendly country for business, pleasure, or health. People may come here for these reasons, but only from the countries declared to he friendly, and their stay here must be limited to a few months.

■ All these proposals for the taking of the oath by immigrants are quite naw to New Zealand, and it is understood that they are not in operation in nny other part of the British Empire. The Bill is an exceedingly important measure and it is sure to be keenly debated, as it affects international affairs to some extent, and also the relations of New Zealand with other parts of the Empire.

It is certain that the Bill will have to be referred to London for the Royal assent.