Soccer captain may have to leave country

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 12, 21 August 1984, Page 20

Soccer captain may have to leave country

A local farming and football family are living under the imminent threat of deportation. Charles and Ann Gardner together with their son-in-law John Ball and his family, came out from the UK over a year ago and, in good faith, having read in overseas literature that New Zealand required entrepreneurial immigrants who could contribute to the economy of the country and as farmers with new and innovative ideas, they were the kind of people New Zealand wanted, bought a property in the Waimarino and started farming. They had previously farmed in Midlands. They acquired two blocks — one leasehold of 750 acres and one freehold of 220 acres — and are running 3,000 Coppworth breeding ewes and 800 hoggets.

They have been notified by the previous government that they are illegal overstayers and have been ordered to leave New Zealand within 14 days. The letter advising them of their deportation order was signed by the former Minister of Immigration, Mr Aussie Malcolm, on 20 July — six days after his government had been voted out of office and the Minister had lost his seat! What makes the situation difficult for them to understand is that they are conducting research with an experimental genetic breed of ewes and" producing prime medium grade lamb mainly for the export market. They are thus fulfilling both requirements of the NZ government policy on immigration — a demonstration

of entrepreneurial skills combined with a contribution to New Zealand's economy. What is particularly ironical is.that one of the principals of the Midlands meat company — Mr Bob Matthews of Bernard Matthews Ltd — which last week announced its participation in a new $14 million bonedmeat processing plant in Hawkes Bay and which is expected to earn up to 20% ($200 million worth of New Zealand lamb) of the income from UK imports of meat, is a relation of Tom Ball. Tom is well known locally for his interest in sport and the fact that he is founder as well as captain and coach of the very successful Waimarino Soccer Club. He and his family are due to appear in the Ohakune District Court this Thursday.