Wednesday, August 25, 2004
The quangos roll on
It probably won't garner much attention, but Ethnic Affairs Minister Chris Carter today announced the appointment of eight trustees to the newly formed Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust.
The what!!!
In case you didn't know, from 1881, all Chinese migrants were required to pay a poll tax on entry to New Zealand. Other punitive initiatives also singled out Chinese people. Their right to naturalisation was withdrawn from 1908 to 1951 and they were compulsorily thumb printed upon returning to New Zealand from overseas.
"The Poll Tax and other unfair immigration practices had a terrible impact on early Chinese settlers. The Government sincerely hopes that the Trust will strengthen the unique identity of Chinese New Zealanders� Mr Carter said.
To ensure that we make all amends, the Trust has been given a $5 million grant to fund projects to boost the study and preservation of Chinese New Zealand history, culture and language.
Okay, roll up the next cultural/ethnic/racial group who can find some grievance in the past and get your loverly government handout.
It probably won't garner much attention, but Ethnic Affairs Minister Chris Carter today announced the appointment of eight trustees to the newly formed Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust.
The what!!!
In case you didn't know, from 1881, all Chinese migrants were required to pay a poll tax on entry to New Zealand. Other punitive initiatives also singled out Chinese people. Their right to naturalisation was withdrawn from 1908 to 1951 and they were compulsorily thumb printed upon returning to New Zealand from overseas.
"The Poll Tax and other unfair immigration practices had a terrible impact on early Chinese settlers. The Government sincerely hopes that the Trust will strengthen the unique identity of Chinese New Zealanders� Mr Carter said.
To ensure that we make all amends, the Trust has been given a $5 million grant to fund projects to boost the study and preservation of Chinese New Zealand history, culture and language.
Okay, roll up the next cultural/ethnic/racial group who can find some grievance in the past and get your loverly government handout.
