With the Compliments of the
Under-Secreta
Affaira
state for Dominion
INWARD TELEGRAM
28
25 OCT 1949
217
M.D.
CYPHER (TYPEX)
FROM:
NEW ZEALAND (GOVT.)
TO:
D.O.
D.
11
R.
22nd Oct., 1942. 11.50 p.me 23rd
2.15 a.m.
No. 366.
Addressed Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs repeated to Prime Minister Canberra No. 293, Prime Minister Ottawa No. 9 and Prime Minister Pretoria No. 15,
Your telegrams D.418, 419 and 420 and 429. H13 Majesty's Government in New Zealand are in agreement with the proposed abrogation of British extra-territorial rights in China and, with the exception of one point, they have no comments to offer on the proposed draft. They would wish to make it clear so far as the possible implications of Article 6 are concerned, that there can be no fundamental alteration of the existing immigration system of New Zealand, the maintenance of which is an essential part of the economic and social organisation of the Dominion. As His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom will be aware, the entry of foreigners to New Zealand is at present controlled by means of an individual permit system under which, in theory, the Chinese have the same rights as any other foreign national. In practice, this control is at present exercised eo as to restrict severely the entry of all foreign nationals. So far as the Chinese and other nationals with a low standard of living are concerned, His Majesty's Goverment in New Zealand must, as a measure of long-term policy, maintain the existing restrictions to such limited numbers as will prevent their causing any dislocation of the economic systede It is, of course, probable that this discrimination will at some stage be the subject of protest by the Chinese National Government, and His Majesty's Government in New Zealand would propose in that event a reciprocal arrangement with the Chinese granting full national rights to those permitted to enter, but recognising the right of each party to restrict the number of entries in such degree as its national policy may dictate.
Copy to:-
War Cabinet Offices Foreign Office
India Office
Burma Office
Sir E.Bridges
Sir Basil Newton Mr Ashley Clarke
Mr Rumbela Mr Arkan
Colonial Office
Treasury
D.O.T. B/Trade
Mr Monson
Mr N.Young Mr Golsby
Mr Fraser
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