The Daily News. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1920. IMMIGRATION RESTRICTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 September 1920, Page 4

The Da ily News. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1920. IMMIGRATION RESTRICTION.

Tlie debate in the House, on Tuesday, on the second reading of the Immigration Restriction Amend ment Bill, demonstrated that the time has arrived when a definite policy regarding the admission of certain classes of immigrants into the Dominion should be laid down. A grave responsibility faces l arliament in this matter, in consequence of the peculiarly liberal view taken by the Imperial authorities on this question, as well as the desirableness of avoiding givnig umbrage to friendly nations. At the same time the paramount consideration is the welfare of the Dominion and its people. While, therefore, the ideal of a "White" New Zealand is a very natural aspiration, it has to be remembered that the Empire embraces vast numbers of colored races and people of many creeds, ahd, as a unit of the Empire, New Zeailand should be careful to aet with becoming justice in connection with the recognition of the fact that the Empire as a whole has certain claims for favorable treatment by each of the constituent members. The restriction proposals appear chiefly to affect Hindoos and Chinese, but there are others whose advent to the Dominion come within the scope of the Bill. While many aliens have proved themselves hardworking settlers in this country, it was found that during the late war the loyalty of some was of doubtful dependence. On that matter Mr. Massey touched when hesaid that, so far as legislation could provide, new arrivals should be loyal to the country and to the Empire. This question of loyalty plays an important part in the general principles for restricting immigrants. The formal taking of an oath of allegiance has little, if any, significance on those who never intend to. regard it except as a means to an end. The only loyalty that carries weight is a whole-hearted desire to become merged in the country of adoption in such a way as to lead to concentration of effor on advancing the best interests of that country, while endeavoring to'obtain such material advantages as are possible by industry and the observance of all moral, social and industrial regulations in force from time to time. The bird of passage that merely intends to do the best for itself, accumulate as much money as possible by -methods that are foreign to civilised communities, and then tOj return to,, it? own land, is not by any means a welcome, useful, or desirable addition to the population of a country such as New Zealand, and every precaution should be taken to prevent this class of immigrant from obtaining a footing here. The subject was very fully discussed by the War Council in 1918, when it was wisely decided that it was the inherent function of the British

Commonwealth, including India, that each should enjoy the control of the composition of its own population by means of restriction of emigrants from other countries. That decision amply justifies the Dominion authorities in taking steps to keep the country pure and loyal—the dominant object of the measure in question. The problem, as it affects Labor, presents difficulties which the extremists will find considerable difficulty in solving. Mr. Holland evidently recognised this by resorting to specious generalities, his only safe-1 guard—and a very illusory one at that—being to organise Hindoos into unions to prevent them entering into unfair competition with workers. The wily Hindoo, and the plausible Chinese, may be counted upon to evade any Labor designs to harness them to the union waggon. It is just as impossible to change the nature of these foreign immigrants as it would be to alter the character of a rose or any other horticultural specimen by transplanting it to another country. The poll tax has failed in its purpose, and it V 'Jfoecome necessary to institute policy of restriction, as proved by the fact that during the last eight months 739 Chinese have come to the Dominion. Many of the Chinese are doing useful work, but it is desirable there should be a weeding out as well as a process of selection of .a limited number of such immigrants. In all cases provision might be made for the deposit by Hindoos and Asiatics of a sufficient sum of money to pay for their passage to thpir own country if they prove undesirable inmates of the Dominion. The Premier's remarks indicate that he views the problem in the proper spirit, and it would be well for members of the House to do their best to make the Bill effective as well as just. ■