A Motion that the Students' Association urge the Government that all restrictions on Fijian immigration into New Zealand be removed was defeated.

The motion, debated after a seemingly interminable number of procedural motions, was moved by Owen Gager.

"There are those who say that before we can condemn immigation policies in another country, we must condemn our immigration policies," he said.

Mr. Gager said the Fijian population was allowed in at very low numbers, and at very low wages.

He said they received large cuts in their wages to pay for board.

"Even if they came in as an entire community, they would not upset our labour force," he said.

Seconding the motion, Mr. Roger Lawrence, said there was two basic reasons why Fijians came to this country.

Law reform

"The first is tertiary education, in which they are generally very successful," he said.

"The second is to learn something of the cultural life of the community, and is denied by the Labour Department."

Mr. Lawrence said New Zealand's immigration policy was "pure racial discrimination."

Mr. Rennie spoke of the racial dis-harmony he had witnessed during a recent visit to Fiji.

"Despite a numerical superiority, the Indian population has only a quarter of the seats," he said.

Mr. Rennie said the motion was too vague and unsubstantiated.

The International Affairs Officer, Mr. John Eade, said New Zealand had a "fairly open door policy."

"In 1966-67, it was completely open door, and we were flooded with unskilled labour." he said.

"New Zealand has the same immigration procedures as anyone else, including the same passport."

Mr. David Butcher said he was, in principle, opposed to restrictions on individuals.

"They are impractical and generally objectionable," he said.

But the motion was insufficiently explained.

"The problem of immigration is the absorption of the immigrants into the society," he said.

The motion was then voted upon and defeated.