3000 Immigrants A Year For Dominion

Chronicle (Levin), 20 August 1948, Page 3

3000 Immigrants A Year For Dominion

"In couditions ot shortage of iabour it is obviously wise to facilitate imnugration and the Government is coulinuihg with its plan of assistanee t.o suitable immigrants," stated Rt. Ilou. Walter Nash in his Budget speeeh last night. "Tlie.estimated expenditure for 1948-49 is £740,000.° "Shipping diffieulties have restricted the arrivals for the twelve months endcd December 3.1, 1947. In order to speed up the immigration scheme the Government has chartered the* former hospital sliip Atlantis for a period of four years. Alterations at present being carried out vib increase the passenger accoinniodation of the vessei from 600„ to 900l As the vessei will make three ■ or four trips eacli year it will be x)0HSi^Ie transport at least 3000 assisted immigrants each year. Every endeavour is being made to secure additional -space for -passengers. "It is estimated that for the year ending December 31, 1948, 1630 assisted immigrants will sail in ordinary steamship lines and S52 on the Atlantis ivhen she resumes service. This gives s lotal.of 2482, as compared with 9US for Ihe" 12 months ended December 31, 1947. 'This figure will be stepped up'in subsequent vears as the shipping position improves. "The problem of housing accommodation is being met by the provision bf hostels, and by converting and equipping surplus armed service establishments. " ^