(4) Persons suffering from contagious diseases which are loathsome or dangerous. (5) Persons arriving in New Zealand within two years after the termination of a period of imprisonment for a serious offence. (6) Chinese (not naturalized in New Zealand) unless they (7) Persons who have at any time been subjects of the ELASTICITY IN ADMINISTERING LAWS Like the immigration laws in other portions of the British Empire, the New Zealand laws show a degree of elasticity and opportunity for arbitrary action. For example, the Governor-General in Council or the Minister of Internal affairs may exempt any person included in classes (3), (4), and (5) above. The requirements of British ancestry are more rigid than in Australia, although in other respects, the prohibitions are less severe. There is no general literacy test. But this in Australia, as will be observed in the next chapter is used mainly as a method of keeping out Asiatics. The only literacy test provided for in the New Zealand law, as has been stated, is for so-called "race aliens," as persons of other than European descent are classified. These people since 1908 have been required to pass an educational test before admission into the country. During the year 1920, there were admitted 1734 " race aliens," 235 of whom came from British possessions. NATURALIZATION An alien residing in New Zealand who desires to become naturalized, may do so by presenting to the Governor-General a memorial signed and verified by a statutory declaration giving his name, age, birthplace and occupation, the length of his residence in New Zealand, and his desire to settle therein, and a request that letters of naturalization may be granted to him. This memorial must have written upon it or attached to it a certificate signed by a Magistrate or Justice to the effect that the applicant is known to the one certifying and is of good repute. No fee is charged for naturalization except to the Chinese who must pay one pound. No letters of naturalization were granted between 1914 and 1919 and the revocation of the Naturalization Act of 1917 empowered the Governor-General to revoke naturalization in any case desirable on grounds of public policy. The following table 13 shows the birthplace and number of persons naturalized after the resumption of naturalization in 1919. While the actual numbers are not large, a number of countries are represented. This shows a growing cosmopolitanism in citizenship. 14 REGISTRATION OF ALIENS Since the year 1917, all aliens in New Zealand must be registered, and very careful records are kept. Doubtless many of those listed in the table following came from the ranks of resident aliens. In 1921, there were 9021 registered aliens. Of this number, 599 came from the United States, and 706 were British born, mostly women who had become aliens by marriage and a few men by naturalization elsewhere. 13 New Zealand Official Year Book, 1921-22, page 54. SOME SOCIAL RESULTS OF IMMIGRATION In seeking for some of the social results of immigration, inquirers seem disposed first of all to ask if there has been a directly traceable increase in crime. The belief that immigration is a fertile source of crime has long been held in the United States, yet the more recent studies seem to indicate that either there is no scientific ground for such a belief or that information available is insufficient to warrant a con clusion. A study 15 of the place of origin of the 1870 persons over twenty years of age convicted of crime in New Zealand in 1920 shows the results detailed below: These figures do not seem to reveal anything about relation of incidence of crime and country of origin. They simply show that each group contributes a small quota which as shown in the full report varies slightly from year to year. Thus here, as in the countries previously studied, it cannot be said with certainty that immigration increases the rate of crime. One would need a complete history of the individual crimes in the same age groups to arrive at any definite conclusion. Mere conjecture is of no value. So far as can be learned, immigration has placed no burden upon the charitable institutions of the country. The kind of people permitted to seek homes in New Zealand have the stamina necessary to fight successfully their own economic battles. Thus does a policy of wise restriction redound to the glory of any immigrant-receiving country. Extreme isolation has developed an interesting phase of British civilization in New Zealand, which as we have seen is in no danger of being changed. Incoming settlers enter at once into enjoyment of the life of the Dominion; they are quickly assimilated because they have, after all, traveled half way around the earth only to come to their own people. 15 Statistics of the Dominion of New Zealand, 1920, Vol. I, page 288. CHAPTER VIII IMMIGRATION AND PROTECTIVE LEGISLATION IN AUSTRALASIA (Continued) AUSTRALIA THE LURE OF GOLD As is well known, the first rush of free immigrants to Australia was about the middle of the last century because of the discovery of gold. The first free settlers recorded arrived in 1793. It was said that the penal colony at Botany Bay maintained for some time by the British Government made little perceptible effect on the permanent white settlement of the colony. The first convict ship landed its cargo in 1786, the last in 1868, although assignments of convicts was discontinued as early as 1838. As a rule causes which operate to make men criminals at home, prevent them from becoming successful citizens amid new and often unfavorable surroundings. An abnormally high death rate prevailed in the Botany Bay colony. According to Doctor Thwing 1 much of the strain that has survived is found today in anarchists and other agitators bent on destructive measures. A distinguished Australian with whom the writer recently discussed this matter contradicts Doctor Thwing's statement and maintains that no odium attaches to the descendants of convicts for the reason that they are practically all rich and important socially because their ancestors, on the expiration of their sentences were given large tracts of land which they developed to the enrichment of their progeny. It must be borne in mind that many of these people were political prisoners or sentenced for some of the thousand and one offences not now included 1 Human Australasia, page 50. 'Captain Kilroy Harris, D.S.O., M.C., F.R.G.S., F.R.C.I. |