IMMIGRATION & TOURIST TRAFFIC.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1413, 13 April 1912, Page 4

IMMIGRATION & TOURIST TRAFFIC.

SUGGESTED CO-OPERATION WITH AUSTRALIA.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

Auckland, April 12. ■ The suggestion for co-operation between the various Australian States and New Zealand in the matter of immigration and the lostering of tho tourist traffic was made by Mr. Percy Hunter, Director of Immigration for New South Wales, to a reporter (his .'norning. Mr. Hunter has been commissioned to reorganise various Departments, especially in connection with tourist matters, both in England and on the Continent. He is proceeding on his mission by tho Marama, calling at Auckland to-day. A new principle is being established in connection with tho immigration movement. Jfr. Hunter said hitherto tho methods adopted havo been somewhat haphazard, but now moro carefid selection is to be gone in for. "Our Government," Jlr. Hunter remarked, "is sending a skilled tradca unionist abroad to select a number of skilled artisans who are urgently wanted for various branches of industry in Australia. Wo are making big efforts to till the domestic servant market as well as to secure an adequate supply of artisan and farm labourers."

The whole tendency of the system, Mr. Hunter stated, was to work more along Federal lines. In tho past work had to a great extent been duplicated, and part of his undertaking was to bring various agencies more together. By 0 decision of the recent Premiers 1 Conference, tho various States had adopted uniform immigralion rates, which wns a big step in the direction desired, lie thought New Zealand might participate in this connection willi benelicial results.

"This has already been done to a large extent with tourist: departments." said Mr. Ilyntcr. "When I was in England last year I came into touch with Mr. Donne, who is probably the greatest, tourist enthusiast New Zealand has ever had or is, perhaps, likely to have, and we arrange.l to work together a lot. abroad. This applies more especially in connection with the improvement of the Pacific steamer service."

Mr. Hunter expressed tho opinion that the new 1:1,000-ton boat, that tho Union Company is putting 011 would prove a good magnet to a big tourist traffic from America. The service would also attract numbers of people who would olberwise travel vii! the Suez Cnnnl. 'Phis, of (•nurse, «'ns much to the advantage of Now Zealand,