Peters Reminds Labour Of Immigration Pledge

New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters has reminded Labour of its 1996 immigration policy in which it pledged to substantially reduce the flow of immigrants into this country.

Mr Peters today distributed a report of Annette King launching Labour’s immigration and ethnic affairs policy.

It stated that Labour would slow the influx of immigrants so communities could develop resources and programmes to help immigrants become part of New Zealand society.

“In 1996 Mrs King accused the then National government of having an ad hoc immigration policy which placed huge pressure on schools, hospitals and housing, particularly in Auckland.

“She said the influx had contributed to the worst state of intolerance and antagonism towards new immigrants in recent history.

“The previous year National had allowed 55,000 immigrant approvals and Labour pointed out only 28,976 would have been approved under its policy.”

Mr Peters said Labour had completed a backwards somersault and was now bringing in more immigrants than National.

“Is this total hypocrisy or what? Labour is now creating the pressure on schools, hospital and housing, particularly in Auckland.

“The difference now of course is that Labour is flooding the country with immigrants to get their votes and does not really care about the effects of its own ad hoc immigration policy on ordinary New Zealanders,” said Mr Peters.

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