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Research in Other Countries => New Zealand => New Zealand Completed Requests => Topic started by: Helenw52 on Thursday 11 September 14 10:29 BST (UK)
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Can anyone tell me if there is a register of names for these refugees to New Zealand during 1939-1940? .
Celebrating the arrival of refugee women and children from Guangdong 75 years ago
Seventy-five years ago Chinese women and children arrived in New Zealand as refugees from a war-torn homeland. By the end of 1937, Beijing, Shanghai and a large part of the north of China were occupied by the Japanese. In 1938, the Japanese forces moved into the Pearl River Delta region, home to the Chinese in New Zealand, and began invading the villages and torturing the villagers.
The New Zealand Chinese Association and the Chinese Consulate appealed to the New Zealand government to allow Chinese men to bring their families here during this time of crisis. In February 1939, the government agreed, and as a humanitarian gesture allowed the wives and children to join their husbands in New Zealand, on a temporary permit, for a period of two years.
There were various conditions including the payment of a £500 bond to ensure that wives and children returned to China at the end of the two years and took with them any children born during their time in New Zealand. In addition, £200 was payable for the maintenance of the family and possible repatriation after the war. It was a huge financial burden but the leaving your loved ones to the mercy of the Japanese was unthinkable.
Between August 1939 and 1941, a total of 249 wives and 244 children came to New Zealand. Many walked for several days from their village along the Kowloon-Canton railway line down to Hong Kong. The journey was dangerous and having reached Hong Kong there was no guarantee of a passage; some had to make the journey back to the village and certain misery.
The situation in China only worsened and World War Two was in full swing. It was impossible to send families back to their villages in Guangdong. Again, the Chinese Consulate and the New Zealand Chinese Association, with support from the New Zealand Presbyterian Church and the Inter-Church Council, urged the government to allow the families to stay.
In late 1947, the refugee wives and children, the other children born in New Zealand to refugee wives, 93 Chinese men who had been admitted on the business replacement scheme and Chinese students and a few others – 1408 in all who had been in New Zealand for five years or more – were all granted permanent residency.
The arrival of the refugee families was a watershed in Chinese New Zealand history. With a stable family structure, Chinese businesses thrived and expanded. Market gardeners increased the size of their gardens and the amount of crops grown. Fruiterers had instantly their increased labour force and were able to provide better service at keener prices. The Chinese were well-placed to take advantage of the post-war economic boom.
As families grew and businesses prospered, the younger generation took advantage of the opportunities living in New Zealand offered them. They received a good education from an early age and many chose to pursue professional careers instead of traditional Chinese occupations. Seventy-five years have now passed since the government’s decision to allow families to be reunited, and two or three generations have now reaped the benefit. As we reflect on this, we realise that New Zealand, in return, has also benefitted – it has gained high-achieving, well-respected and valued members of its society.
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Not sure if anything specific might be found at Archway (might be separate immigration files for the various families?). You could contact the NZCA to see if they have old records as well.
There seem to be various newspaper reports about the arrivals but not including names:
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=EP19390905.2.129
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=NZH19391011.2.99
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=AS19391010.2.84
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=NZH19391011.2.100 (picture)
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Enquire direct to Archives New Zealand in Wellington. That is the most likely place for those records to be held.
OAKLEIGH
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Thanks - Have tried looking at Archives. We have the shipping lists of every boat that came in at that time - but trying to work out whether the people were registered as a refugee. Not all the Chinese on the ships were considered as refugees - some were students, some were men returning from China - with or without their families.
As per the newspaper article, " The refugees have been admitted for two years, subject to the signing of a £SOO bond and the payment of deposit of £2OO, to be forfeited if conditions laid down are broken. " This makes me wonder if they needed to register as a refugee - or if there was a receipt given for the bond money - the same as the Poll Tax previously paid.
BYW - The photo in the last link are of my extended family - one of the ladies is now aged 99.. a grand age.
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Hi
Dr James Ng has written extensively on the history of NZ Chinese families. There is a 2 volume set of his writings which may be available in libraries. Or for sale.
regards Crowsfeet
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The photo in the last link are of my extended family - one of the ladies is now aged 99
Hello...
Do you know the name of this lady. If so, have you put her name into Archway to see if anything pops up. Or into the NZ Passenger Lists search at FamilySearch.
Maybe look for her on the "Immigration Index" or the "Permits to Enter New Zealand Slips". Anything which might give us a clue as to the ship upon which she arrived.
You'll need to visit Wellington Archives to check the last two indexes. Click the following link then click the "Record" tab.
"Immigration Index"
http://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewEntity.do?code=6099 (http://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewEntity.do?code=6099)
"Permits to Enter New Zealand Slips"
http://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewEntity.do?code=8012 (http://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewEntity.do?code=8012)
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A year or two late but this might be worth a look while you're there. Might not.
17th February 1950
Eight page letter to the Minister of Immigration
From the Controller of Customs (D G Sawers)
Titled "Entry into New Zealand - Wives and Children of Chinese Residents"
http://archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=3800945 (http://archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=3800945)
Regards
Beg
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The photo in the last link are of my extended family - one of the ladies is now aged 99
A year or two late but this might be worth a look while you're there. Might not.
17th February 1950
Eight page letter to the Minister of Immigration
From the Controller of Customs (D G Sawers)
Titled "Entry into New Zealand - Wives and Children of Chinese Residents"
http://archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=3800945 (http://archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=3800945)
Regards
Beg
Thanks Beg - Thanks for the last link.
I have documented the family that was in the newspaper in 1939, and know the names of the ships that all the refugees came on. Just looking to see if the government of the day had a list of the refugees - I am supposing they did - otherwise how would they know if they left within the 2 year period allowed.
Also wondering if the government ever gave them the bond money back. In other words, if you had to prove that you were a refugee of that time - how would you do that.
Is there some one in Wellington who can get me a copy of Entry into New Zealand - Wives and Children of Chinese Residents"
17th February 1950
Eight page letter to the Minister of Immigration
From the Controller of Customs (D G Sawers)
Titled "Entry into New Zealand - Wives and Children of Chinese Residents"
http://archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=3800945
Thanking you in advance.
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I know the names of the ships that all the refugees came on.
Hi again...
I appreciate that you're trying to find a straightforward list of names but if you have no success it might be worth looking for your lady's name in the following index. Might be able to use it as a template and compare her entry to the entries of the other Chinese names on the passenger lists.
[Index of] Chinese [Arrivals] 1932-1945
http://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=23609155 (http://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=23609155)
Out of interest, what were the names of the ships.
Regards
Beg
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Out of interest, what were the names of the ships.
Regards
Beg
[/quote]
Hi Beg
These are the ones I gathered from Auckland Archives many years ago - now they can be found on line.
http://chinesecommunity.org.nz/en/site/search/topics/for/shipping+list?search_terms=shipping+list&sort_direction=
Thanks for your help.
p s Sad news, the lady died last night- a long successful life lived.
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Is there anyone going to Wellington Archives who can get me copies of this?
Entry into New Zealand - Wives and Children of Chinese Residents"
17th February 1950
Eight page letter to the Minister of Immigration
From the Controller of Customs (D G Sawers)
Titled "Entry into New Zealand - Wives and Children of Chinese Residents"
http://archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=3800945
Chinese names on the passenger lists.
[Index of] Chinese [Arrivals] 1932-1945
http://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=23609155
Thanks in advance.
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Hi Helen,
Yup!
Spades
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Hi Spades - Me again. How are you these days? I have no idea what is in the files - the 8 pager may be okay - but not sure what is the other file. Thanks again
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Hi again...
Sorry to keep bothering you. Feel free to ignore me :-)
Thanks very much for the link to the Chinese Community newsletter. Good luck with the commemoration dinner.
And thanks for the passengers lists.
Have you considered taking a few of the passengers names from the first two groups to arrive in Auckland (Niagara arrived 3 Sep 1939 and the Westralia arrived 10 Oct 1939) and looking for them in either the...
"Register of temporary permits to enter New Zealand (R4367442) 1921 - 1939"
http://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=4367442 (http://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=4367442)
or
"Register of temporary permits to enter New Zealand (R4367443) 1939 - 1952"
http://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=4367443 (http://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=4367443)
Maybe you can work out a method to find refugees from the permit numbering. The individual permits themselves have a blanket restriction but I'm sure "historical significance" would get you access to them if desired.
I say "temporary permits" because the following item uses that term...
Births in New Zealand to Chinese Women in Dominion on temporary permits (R13206948) 1941 - 1941
http://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=13206948 (http://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=13206948)
As this item is also restricted you might want to once again try "historical significance", assuming you want to view it. If Archives say no get the Chinese Consulate involved :-)
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There are several passengers with Alien Registration files listed at Auckland Archives. Maybe check the files for clues to... who knows what :-)
Here'a few names...
Cheung May - Chinese (R23646160) 1939 - 1939
http://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=23646160
King Ng Choy - Chinese (R23646212) 1939 - 1939
http://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=23646212
Low Ng She - Chinese (R23646339) 1939 - 1952
http://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=23646339
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[...] a total of 249 wives and 244 children came to New Zealand
[...] 93 Chinese men admitted on the business replacement scheme
[...] 1408 in all who had been in New Zealand for five years or more
How is it that you have such accurate numbers and yet no list of names.
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Sad news, the lady died last night- a long successful life lived.
A fine memorial.
Regards
Beg
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Hi Helen,
No problem, I'll have a look.
You should thank Beg, as he alerted me to your request. I've been a bit distracted with work and family commitments.
Spades
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Thanks Beg
Those links I haven't seen before. And I do appreciate your and Spades assistance here. I don't have anyone in Wellington that can get the information for me.
I used to have access to the Poll Tax data base that was on DIA website - but they changed the website, and took it down. Now I have to look people up one by one - and that's assuming that they were a poll tax payer.
As for the numbers, I guess that was in a year book - or some statistics somewhere. My friend came over at 1 years old, with her mother. She doesn't have a birth certificate, and when she became a New Zealander, they made a declaration that she came as an infant with her mother.
I also see on the list that some of the children had English names. I wonder if they were born here, and were returning due to the Japanese war. In which case, they would not be considered as refugees (who had to pay for the privilege)
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[...] not sure what is the other file.
Hi again...
As I read it, the "other file" is the one that will lead to all of the names that you're looking for. The problem is that it's not something Spades can just take a photo of and magically come up with a list of names. To be honest, with the amount of work involved there's a doctoral thesis in it. The subject is certainly of historical significance. Presented properly I'm sure the Chinese government would fund it.
The important bit from the Item Description is the following...
"Registers for Auckland contained name, return/arrival, arrived by (ship name), arrival date, poll tax number, remark (including CR [Certificate of Registration or TP [Temporary Permit] number and student permit) and rotation (file?) number"
[Index of] Chinese [Arrivals] 1932-1945
http://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=23609155 (http://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=23609155)
If the Temporary Permits relate to the 1939-1941 period then you're well on your way to compiling your list of names.
Spades, if you're reading this, if possible would you able to order the item and see if it actually does include records from the 1939-1941 period. Maybe even give a brief description of the item (names per page, number of pages, any onward references).
Thanks
Beg
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Hi Beg - Not sure if the Chinese Government is interested in what we the "old" Chinese are interested in. They have moved on - but we are still working on our early NZ History. Once the event is over, we hope to have enough stories, old photos, and perhaps this information for someone to work on. I'm tied up working full time, and assisting in the documentation of the Chinese Fruit Shops in NZ
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...it's not something Spades can just take a photo of and magically come up with a list of names
Actually... 8) 8)
Sorry Helen, I didn't a chance to contact you yesterday, but if you PM me with your email address I'll send the images tonight.
Spades
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Hi Helen
Do you have information on the Chinese fruit shop in Ashburton?
Regards
Crowsfeet
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Images sent of the following two files:
Entry into New Zealand - Wives and Children of Chinese Residents
http://archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=3800945
[Index of] Chinese [Arrivals] 1932-1945
http://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=23609155
Spades
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Hi Helen
Do you have information on the Chinese fruit shop in Ashburton?
Regards
Crowsfeet
Hi Crowsfeet - Have someone working on Ashburton - but anything of interest would assist. Thanks
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Hi Spades - Can you close this thread - I have what I need for the time being. Thanks so much :)
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Will do, Helen. :)
Spades
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Hi Helen
I have pm you my contact details.
Crowsfeet
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The event was a great success - with over 45 old timers, and nearly 600 attendees.
And some great stories were told.
http://centralleader.realviewdigital.com/?startpage=1&iid=104055#folio=1
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/manukau-courier/9012161/Bledisloe-Cup-for-service-to-horticulture
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/small-business-sme/news/article.cfm?c_id=85&objectid=11339377
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11192800