IMMIGRATION.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18480, 7 September 1925, Page 6

IMMIGRATION.

CHURCH AND THE MIGRANT. Last month Archbishop Averill brought before the Standing Committee of the General Synod a communication he had received from the National Assembly's Migration Council, England, proposing thai tho Anglican Church in New Zealand should undertake to receive and placo yearly about 400 immigrants selected by the Council. Commenting editorially on tho proposal, "Church News" states that it is unquestionable that the Church should, if possible, take some part in the immigration work. Believing what she does of religion, she could not be blamed for insisting on the greater value to the Dominion of church-going immigrants, especially those of her own "persuasion.". But mere denominational label is of no value—we have a sufficient burden of census-Anglicans without troubling to import more ,of the breed. If they come out under the aegis of the State we shall do our best .to make them at home awl better Anglicans, of course, but it is another matter to make ourselves responsible over a period of yoars for the welfare of an annual miscellany of four hundred immigrants, in the seleotion of whom we havo no effective voice. If the Church is to bring out immigrants herself, she must be assured that they arc of a type that will be a help and not a further hindrance to her. The Weak Spot. The details of the proposal are that the Church is asked to receive 400 immigrants selected by the Council acting in official conjunction with the British Government, which latter would" give a subsidy of about £4OO a year to the Church's expenses, on the assumption that it would appoint paid organisers and staff, set up central and local committees and raise the additional cost of administration and relief. Some Australian Church provinces have apparently accepted the scheme—Canada sent to England a delegation to investigate. The question will bo submitted, to the Diocesan Standing Committee and may j come before Synod. The crucial flaws appear to bo that no effectual yoioe in the selection is given the Dominion Church, and that domestics are specifically excluded from the 400.