Living Standards'
p. 129 · Read in the full issue
Islanders in NX ‘Menace to Living Standards'
A leading New Zealand farmer considers that migration of Pacific Islanders to the Dominion should be stopped because they could be a menace to the standard of living.
The farmer, Mr. Fielden Thorp, is president of the Paeroa branch of Federated Farmers, and has made extensive tours overseas.
THE problem Mr. Thorp said, was one which should concern Maoris as well as Europeans. Indians and Pacific Islanders were accustomed to long hours of work at low pay, he said. Their high birthrate would have the effect of gradual domination in any avenues of production.
New Zealanders would have to do their own work if they were to avoid competing with migrants. Mr. Thorpe said it was nonsense to say the New Zealand Government could not re fuse entry to the Islanders. He quoted the British Government’s action to stop indiscrimnatne entry of West Indians into Britain as an example.
Not all members of the branch agreed with Mr. Thorp, and many considered the matter was not one with which Federated Farmers could deal. However, by a majority of one they decided to ask that some restric tion be placed on the entry of Pacific Islanders as immigrants.