More Islanders Seek

Fortunes in NZ

A BOUT 5,000 Samoans,

* Niueans, and Cook Islanders iow live in New Zealand —most f them in the two big cities of

Auckland and Wellington.

These figures were released in the “port of the Island Territories De artment tabled in the House of Representatives in Wellington in .ugust.

The majority are Samoans —Samoa aving the highest population of [Z’s island territories. Most are oung people, although many imilies have also settled.

Official reasons for the migration re social problems in their home lands (such as population pressure nd land shortage) and the greater pportunities for educational and xmomic advancement in New Zea md.

Noting the accommodation diffi ilties experienced by Islanders in ew Zealand, the report states that lere is “a steady though not vocal •sistance” to accepting them into le better homes and boarding ouses.

Though the report does not say ), it is felt in New Zealand by lose who know the Islanders, that lis is due to excessive publicity

given to every case of crime amongst Islanders in the country. A sur vey would probably show that the percentage of crime amongst them is actually no greater, or even less, than the percentage of crime amongst the remainder of the popu lation. Thus, to maintain a good name, Islanders are called on to maintain more than just average good behaviour. Almost all Islander crime is associated with liquor.

One other reason why Islanders are not welcome in boarding houses and blocks of flats is because of their custom of having frequent noisy parties. The strum of the Island guitar and the sound of voices sing ing, might be welcome enough on one night per week, but never on six or seven. Thus, even the most tender-hearted landlady shies at the sight of a guitar in the luggage of a respectable looking young Islander —and the seeker for accom modation departs wrongly imagin ing that it was prejudice which closed the door.

Mr. J. H. Luxford, Mayor or Auck land, and a former chief judge in Western Samoa for six years, at a public function in August appealed for a more friendly and understand ing attitude on the part of the Euro pean population. It was natural that they should look towards New Zealand as a land of opportunity, he said, and it was a mistake to imagine that Islanders were natural farmers. They were not. In the old days, agricultural work was per

formed by slaves. The people were naturally adapted to the arts and crafts. Given a chance, they cbula play an equal part with the Eqro pean in all walks of life in New Zealand.