TNAG-0975-FCO40-1194-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-in-other--1980 — Page 32

TELEPHONE COVERSATION WITH MR JACK NOLAN, VICE PRESIDENT OF INTER CHURCH COMMISSION ON IMMIGRATION

30.8.80

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Mr Nolan was in HK in September 1979. He visited the

'ex-prison camp near the waterfront'. He feels he knows the refugee problem in HK. He was sympathetic and responded to the NZ Commissioners embarrassment at the small number of refugees NZ was taking. The NZ Commissioner arranged for him to make a quick visit to the camp.

He believes Malaysia has greater needs than HK.

On 26.8.80 the ICCI had a meeting with Mr Peter Jones, Head of Immigration and gave him their recommended number for next years intake of refugees. The number is secret this stage until Mr P Jones has put it before Cabinet at next meeting 6.10.80. The NZ Government has always taken advice of the Inter-Church Commission on Immigration and Resettlement of Refugees as to numbers they will take. Cabinet meets each Monday and if it is not on next Monday' agenda it will probably be on the following one 13.10.80. The number is substantial he said.

at

their

Mr Nolan said the ICCI (who has to find all the sponsors) has built up a very good relationship with Mr Jones which they do not intend to jeopardise in any way. Mr Nolan has worked with resettlement of refugees for 10 years and has personally sponsored 5 families. When asked what he thought about further publicity for HK cause he advised against it. He sees an anti-refugee feeling increasing in NZ. He had read the letter I wrote to the Director of ICCI and understood and sympathised with HK but said the difference between IIK and other countries was that there was a feeling of Loletame HK but Malaysia and Singapore show they do not want them,

I intend leaving fact sheet and black and white photos and 1980 The Long Wait Continues' and 'The Boat Refugees from Vietnam' with Mr Cross and Mr Malcolm tomorrow.

I recommend that

in

The British. High Commission keep HK's cause in the minds of the NZ Government by writing to Mr Peter Jones, Head of Immigration, immediately, in view of the fact that the NZ Government may be making decisions at Cabinet level, if not next Monday 6.10.80, then probably the following Monday 12.10.80. The British High Commission should send him the same material listed above plus a letter mentioning that Mr Malcolm gave me his 'absolute unreserved assurance that the NZ government

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