Dear George (in Australia),
Yes, I think NZ and Australia have had quite different experiences as regards immigration and multiculturism. Certainly Australia has had people coming from many different places for much longer - here it is really quite a recent phenomenom to have people coming from all over the world in substantial numbers. Most of course settle in Auckland, which is a very different place (and much more interesting) than what it was even 10 years ago, but outside of Auckland, most of NZ is still predominantly Maori and pakeha. NZ tries very hard to be bicultural, but of course there is a still a way to go with that, and now we will be multicultural as well! In some ways it is quite exciting. It is quite a cliche to talk about a Global village, but it is true, and what a wonderful opportunity we have these days to be able to travel all over the world and to live among people from other places - so much we can learn about tolerance and love for others if we humble ourselves. Part of our National Anthem goes: "Men of every creed and race, gather here before Thy face, asking Thee to bless this place: God defend our free land." This was written in the 1800s long before there was the sort of immigration we have these days and yet so applicable for now.
Brendan, East-Asian type Chinese are not the only 'race' (for want of a better word) in China - they are the dominant people, but there are many ethnic minorities in China, including Muslims in the western part - it is a huge country. Most countries have a blend of people. Look at England even (not modern day but historical) - Celts, Picts, Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, Normans....
However your concern is that people come and leech off the system. That happens anywhere, and it is not just foreigners that take advantage. The onus is on the Government to tighten regulations as to who is eligible to receive the dole or whatever other Welfare payments are available. For example in Japan, you can only get the dole for a certain number of months, and that's it. It is stopped after that. I find that is harsh - sometimes it is not so easy to get a job. In this country to get the dole you have to be actively searching for work. Of course that is open to abuse too, but each person getting the dole has a case worker to help them gain employment. In the old days you got it regardless, so it is a better system now.
I don't know whether muslims will 'take over' Europe. (I think it was hexapsalm who touched on this). Did not Jesus say when He returns will He even find faith on Earth? When He returns maybe true believers will be few and far between. What is important is that we hold our faith, and try to live as true and faithful Orthodox Christians, and maybe if we can even fulfil the tiniest fraction of what we are called to do, our faith might help others come to the Orthodox Church.
George
Just kidding