A Victim of White New Zealand

The Sharma Case...

Many students of Victoria who have been to Tournaments, been active in student politics, or moved in university circles at all on a national scale, will know Pat (Chanra Pratap) Sharma. He is 24, an Indian student from Fiji, who has 8 units of a B.Comm., 2 units in accountancy professional, and has been studying at Canterbury University College for several years.

He has been refused permission to remain in New Zealand to continue his studies.

The Customs Department, said a Press Association message of 11th February, declined to renew Mr. Sharma's permit entitling him to remain in New Zealand, and as far as is known no reason has been officially given for the action.

A fellow Canterburian remarked to your "Salient" reporter the other day that it would be difficult to make a martyr of Pat Sharma, as whatever ill wind caught him in the pants he would be sure to end up on his feet, probably with a bottle of beer in each hand. He is a most lively and attractive personality, fond of life, interested in a wide variety of things, and excellent company. He receives no financial assistance from any quarter, and during his years of study has had to take labouring and other employment during term as well as in vacation. A part-time student with a foreign background, his academic record has been surprisingly good.

A Christchurch accountancy firm which had employed Pat Sharma, and been well satisfied with his work, made representations on his behalf, but an official reply has been received from the Government that nothing can be done.

The editor of our Canterbury contemporary "Canta," Mr. Mike Conway, has written to the Minister of Customs. Mr. Bowden, asking on behalf of fellow students if the Department would care to state the reason for its declining to renew Sharma's permit, and raising the general question why approved overseas students cannot be admitted to New Zealand for a definite term of perhaps five years to be liable to premature expulsion only if they break the laws of the land, or if the university authorities express dissatisfaction with their academic progress ?

The questions raised by the Sharma case are likely to affect many students from Fiji at present studying at Victoria. "Salient" endorses the attitude of the editor of "Canta," and congratulates him on his stand.

We trust that the Government will take a more reasonable attitude when they hear what most New Zealand students think about it and we trust that Pat Sharma will be with us for a few years yet.