EMIGRATION TO DOMINIONS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22508, 16 September 1938, Page 3

EMIGRATION TO DOMINIONS

WORK OF BRITISH SOCIETY

STUDY OF NEW ZEALAND CONDITIONS

A study of New Zealand as a field for suitable immigrants from Great Britain is at present being made by the secretary of the British Dominions Emigration Society, Mr Robert Culver, and correspondents of the society are being appointed in the four main centres to assist in the work of settling British emigrants in the Dominion. The aims of the society, which has successfully arranged for the settlement of a large number of British emigrants in Canada, were outlined yester day in an interview with The Press” by Mr Culver, who emphasised the care taken by the society in choosing satisfactory emigrants, stating that 95 per cent, of those sent abroad by the society in the past had been successful. _ ~ In Christchurch Messrs H. P. Bridge end H. H, P. Ballantyne. of the firm of Stringer and Bridge, have been appointed' correspondents for the society. The correspondents have the duty of advising the society of local conditions and receiving immigrants on their arrival. In cases where an English family has friends or relatives to go to in New Zealand the society first investigates the character and circumstances of the emigrants _ cone&zmsd. and it the report is satisfactory the correspondents are advised when they will arrive and are able to interview them and give them the necessary assistance till they are placed with their friends. In cases where families have no friends to come to in the Dominion, the correspondents give advice as to whether conditions warrant emigration, and when the immigrants arrive they receive them and give advice on securing work and assist them to settle down in the Dominion. Selection of Emigrant*

“The society attaches great importance to sending the right kind of people,” said Mr • Culver. “Great care is taken in the selection, and so far 95 per cent, of those sent out by the society have been successful.” He said that he felt that the secondary industries of New Zealand were bound to be developed in the near future, and as this development increased a greater population would be essential to provide a market for the output of such industries. An increased population must also have a far-reaching effect on primary industry through the increase of local consuming power. It would appear, therefore, that there was ample room for the settlement of more people from overseas, though the numbers that could be settled depended upon the absorptive power of the Dominion.

“What is more important than actually receiving the immigrant is someone to give that after-care which is so greatly needed throughout the period required for the newcomer to become acclimatised,” he said. “It is to be hoped that our representatives will be able to give that personal service which so greatly helps in determining (he success or failure of the new arrival.” Mr Culver said that a great many families had been sent to the Dominion, but greater numbers had been sent to Canada. When the society celebrated its jubilee in 1931 the Prime Minister of Canada (the Rt. Hon. R. B. Bennett) had congratulated it upon the - service it had rendered to Canada. Views on New Zealand

“The chief difficulty with New Zealand has been the high cost of transporting emigrants to their new homes,” he said. “If only the New Zealand Government would revert to the practice of assisting immigrants under the nomination scheme, a great many more people could be sent to New Zealand. This applies particularly to skilled workers in the building, engineering. and electrical trades, of which there seems to be a shortage in New Zealand. It would be a great advantage if the Government would go so far as to introduce a modified form of assisted immigration to cover t.iese classes of mechanics, and I hope that something will be done in this direction in the near future.” Mr Culver said that since the foundation of the society under the name of the East End Emigration Fund 57 years ago, by Prebendary Kitto, some 40,000 people had been assisted to emigrate. The aim of the society was to assist by grants, loans or otherwise British .' born subjects- of good character and sound health to emigrate to various parts of the Empire, where their services seemed required. Everything was done to avoid sending unsuitable emigrants. The society’s work had naturally been curtailed by the abnormal conditions in the Dominions during recent years, but many families approved by the society were waiting for an improvement in condi- > tions to be sent overseas. The society must have financial support for its work, and as the administration was covered by income from legacies all money now subscribed was used for direct assistance of emigration.

ADMISSION OF FOREIGN IMMIGRANTS

RESOLUTION OF AUCKLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

(PBEBS ASSOCIATION TM.MMS.) AUCKLAND. September 15. The attitude of the Government on immigration was the subject of discussion at a meeting of the council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. The president (Mr A. Ely) said that the chamber had written to the Minister for Customs (the Hon. W. Nash) as a result of applications by members who wished to know the Goverhment’s views mi the possible employment of Austrian Jews. A reply that all persons not of British parentage were required to fill in a form of application and that each case would be considered on its merits was received. from the Minister. The executive did not consider the reply entirely satisfactory, Mr Ely said, and the views of members were sought.

Mr Gainor Jackson said that population was one of the most pressing needs of the country. Defence and industry would benefit from a greater population, which would also assist in lightening the burden of taxes. Because. of the declining birth-rate in Britain few immigrants would be obtainable from there. “The position at present seems to be that the whole matter is in the hands of the Minister and anyone who has been seeking admission and has tried to get any satisfaction has been entirely blocked,” said Mr Ely. “At the moment it is nearly impossible to get anyone into the country.” ' „ Mr W. A. Boucher moved that the chamber considered that the present immigration policy should be relaxed and that desirable immigrants should be admitted. The motion, was. carried. It was decided to send the motion to the Associated Chambers of Commerce.