CO885-(18-19) — Page 514

Miscellaneous No. 222.

Printed for the use of the Colonial Offier, &c.

REPORT

OF THE

INTERDEPARTMENTAL

NATURALIZATION COMMITTEE.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

CEC.O.885

19 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

THE Committee have met and considered what amendments might be made in the draft Naturalization Bill submitted to the Imperial Conference of 1907 in order to meet the criticisms offered on certain of its provisions at that Conference. The proceedings of the Conference are on pages 178-182 and 533-541 of Cd. 3523, and in connection with them it is necessary to consider the Minute of the Cape Ministers on pages 94-99 of Cd. 3524, though that Minute had reference not to the Draft Bill, but to the Recommendations of the Interdepartmental Committee of 1901, which are embodied in the Draft Bill.

Before proceeding to suggest definite amendments to the Bill, we would observe, generally, that the criticisms brought forward followed two main lines-(A) the question of the conditions on which Imperial naturalization should be granted, and (3) th question of the procedure by which Imperial maturalization may be effected in the Dominions of the Crown beyond the seas.

As to (a) the objection was raised that under the Bill as drafted, no adequate (General provision appears to be made for the exclusion of undesirable persons from naturalization. Botha,

præge 537) × 1 matter of administrative practice, evidence of good character is always - now

Cape Min- required by the Home Office, and the insertion of words embodying this practice would seem to meet the objection. This course would have the merit of relieving the page 97, self-governing Dominions of anxiety as to the results of reciprocity in naturalization Cl. 3521.) with the Crown Colonies.

isters,

96-97 of Cd.

(pazes

The main objection under (4) had, however, reference to the case of persons of Cape non-European race. There appeared to be some apprehension that acceptance of the Bill Ministers. might involve some risk of interference with the policy adopted by some of the self-as governing Dominions with respect to the terms of admission or residence of Asiaties or 3521.) Other coloured persons. We desire, however, to point out that the measure under General consideration has very little hearing on the coloured race question. It is perfectly clear Botha, that naturalized persons cannot by naturalization acquire any greater or other rights (page 536.) than those possessed by natural-born British subjects. Any colonial law affecting the Sir J. coloured races which applies to natural-born British subjects must equally apply and Ward, continue to apply to naturalized persons. We have in the British Empire at the present 38 9.) time at least 260,000,000 natural-born British subjects of Asiatic and African origin. The few Asiatics or Africans who might become naturalized would be but a drop in the ocean compared with the natural-born subjects of coloured race. But although the question in its practical results is a very small one, we have considered various modifications of the Bill which might make its provisions more acceptable to the colonies. It must be taken for granted that the Parliament of the United Kingdom would not be prepared at present in an Imperial Act to draw a distinction between persons of European and non-European descent. Apart from the invidiousness of any such rule, it would hardly be a workable rule in practice. It would be absurd to provide that a Russian from St. Petersburg might be naturalized while a Russian from Siberia could not, or that a Jew from Turkey in Europe could be naturalized, while a Jew from Palestine could not.

Note —The references where not otherwise stated are to pages of Ed. 3523

(12539-2.) Wt. 31484-328, 100, 200, D&S.