NO PREMISES BEING TAKEN FOR IMMIGRANTS

Chronicle (Levin), 20 June 1947, Page 3

NO PREMISES BEING TAKEN FOR IMMIGRANTS

WELLINGTON, June 19. In no circumstances will the Goverument be a party to taking over any premises occupied as boarding houaes, hotels or flats to provide aceommodation for immigrants. This was made clear today by the Minister of Immigration (Hon. A. McLagan) commentlng jn statements made by the Mayor oi Wellington (iMr. Appleton) coneerning the aequisition of premises by the Government for hostels. The Minister said tlie Employment Department had some llme ago been instructed not to consider acquiring any premises occupied as boarding-houses, hotels or flats. The k^iuister stressed the fact that Ihe rnajority of inimigrarits coming to New Zealand in the initial stages of the scheme would be selected for employment in hospitals/etc., where aecominodation is available and the armed services establishmonts would be utilised for accommodation of other immigrants seleetcd for other t>-pes °£ essential emxiloyment. While one or two properties had been inspected by the Department, Mr. McLagan said that had been done only where delinite offers of properties for sale had been advised to the Department by land agcnts, but in sueh cases immediately it had been aseertained that properties were operating as boarding establishments the Department had indicated it was not interested in the offers. In one sueh case he said the agents stated there was every probability that the building would be used as faetory premises, but the Department definitely indicated to the agents that it would not be a party to any transaction which might resuit in the 'Qxisting tenants being disturbedo - • *