FIRST DRAFT OF OFFICIAL MIGRANTS

Chronicle (Levin), 23 August 1947, Page 5

FIRST DRAFT OF OFFICIAL MIGRANTS

AYFLFINGTON, August 22. . The first draft ot immigrants undei tlie official sclu'iue will urrivc at Auck land tomniTow by tlie Rangitata, said .he Minister of Iminigration (MF McLagan) todav. Tlie draft of 113 nersons, all single, between the ages oi 20 and 35, ' will be distributed through tlie North and South Isljmds. The party iiultules 4(5 girls for the Mentiil Hospitals Department, otliers for general hosjiital work, and liv. shorthand tvjiists. The men i'nclude 18 for the timber in dustry, 12 for coalmining, 10 for the engi neering industry and severa; othe rs. Alr. yicLagan said that although tlidraft was a sinall one, having left Brj tain within a iortnigiit of the opening of- the scheme, other. drafts would b arriving on various ships from now on and toward Ihe end of this year the first really large drafts would leave Fngland. Tlie Afinister said the drafts would be distributed in the more importaiT industries where the need was greatest, on the ad\ icc of local employment ailvisory commitiees, but the immigrants chose their own occupations and werc asked to naine llieir jireferences as to localitv and einployment. Evcrv effort was made to comply with these expressed preferences. Where no privato arrangement had been made for aceom niodatiou it was arranged liy the luunigration Division of tlie Department of Labour and Employment. Glticers of the division would meet tln; immigrants on arrival.