Strapping Young Dutchmen For Our Farms

Chronicle (Levin), 12 November 1949, Page 7

Strapping Young Dutchmen For Our Farms

AUCKLAND, Nov. 11. Fifty former members of tlie Royal Dutch Aimy and Navy, many of wlioin a few months ago vvere actively engaged in the war in Indonesia, arrived at. Whenuapai this afternoon to take up farming occiipations in New Zealand. The immigrants, all single men between the ages of 22 and 24 travelled from Batavia via Australia in the Skyniaster Aalsineer, the first aircrat't of tliv world-famous K.L.M. Royal Dutch Air liaes to land in New Zealand. Thev vvere taken by bua to the Labour anu Employment Department 's induslria eamp at Waikaraka Park, Onehunga, from where they will be posted to fann.throughout the country. For the most part strapping young men specially seleeted for niilitary service because of their capacity to resist the rigors of life in Indonesia, the im rnigrants are likely to prove valuabh recruits for New Zealand 's drive foi increased production. They were all uiterviewed by Mr J. II. Flo»vei\s; oi' th Department of Labour and Immigra tion and medically examined by Di. M. Williams, of Wellington, before coin ing to the Dominion. . Of the draft 21 served as sailors o. uiarines of the Royal Dutch Navy. Tio ex-soldiers were members of the 7t . Derember Division of the RoyaJ Dutcii Army which began demobilisation in May. Most pf the division have been re patriated to Holland, but those wh "wanted to migrate to New Zealand were retained in the army until trans port eould be arrauged for tlieni. TirAalsmeer was chartered at the expen->i.-of the Dutch Government. The men will be allocated by the Ro partment after consultation with Feder ated Farmers to farmc's who have made application for theni. They are undcr an obligation to stav with tlie:i first employer for six months and to re tnain in the farming industry for : minimum of two years. Only a few oi the arrivals can speak English with au-. degree of fluency.