N.Z. Not So Attractive To Migrants These Days

Chronicle (Levin), 13 September 1949, Page 6

N.Z. Not So Attractive To Migrants These Days

WELLINGTON, Sept. 12. The British people are not rushing the opportunity to, come to New Zealand _as assisted immigrant^. The 800 who, arrived in Wellington - on the Atlantis today, were not all • mustered until a" week or two before the ship left Southampton. Immigration officials in London find themselves with no long lists to sift when an immigrant ship has to be filled. All passages are taken but not many applicants are left over after the sailing of a' large group lilce the Atlantis complement. "We have to advertise to get settlers now," said Mr. C. J. Hay, New Zealand Government liaison officer on the Atlantis. "Some New Zealanders think they are, flocking round New Zealand House and stretehing down to Aldwych. We can't sell them soeial security and sunshine all the time. They have soeial seeurity( themselves in Britain now and it was a llne sunny summer. ' ' Mr. Hay said New Zealand conditions were not attraetive in every respect. The girls on the Atlantis coming to a gnaranteed minimum of £4/7/6, in the textile trade had been earning £7 in England. Two English athletes were among the settlers who arrived on the Atlantis. Dennis Cattrall, aged 24, half-milfe, mile and 1500 metres runner ran a 4.14 third to the British eliampion Doug. Wilson, when he registered this season's fastest mile in 4min. 9sec. Cattrall, who ran about 120 miles round tlie deck on the vovage, is posted to the Post and Telegraph Department, Wellington. Charles Field, aged 26, a rower from East London, rowed for the club which produeed six out of the last ten winners of Doggett's Coat and Badge and has beaten all six at times. Field is going to the railway workshops at Auckland.