IMMIGRANTS PROM HOME

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 214, 4 June 1920, Page 6

IMMIGRANTS PROM HOME

THE RIGHT TYPE WANTED. Dissatisfaction with tho administration of the High Commissioner's Office in regard to immigration matters was expressed by the conference of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association yesterday. The following recommendation was submitted by tho Repatriation Committee:—"ln order to encourage tho most desirable type of immigrant to tho Dominion, the benefits of the Repatriation Act should bo extended to all Imperial soidiers who served in the Great War and who settle in New Zealand:" In moving the adoption of the recommendation, Mr. C. W. Batten (convener of the committee) said that no fault was to bo found in so far as nominated immigrants were concerned. Tho High Commissioner's Oflioo in London, however, was not taking sufficient care to sec that suitable immigrants v.cre sent out to New Zealand. The best was dono with such people when they arrived, but the wrong Eort of people wero being sent from the start. There was no objection to ex-Imperial soldiers being sent out to the Dominion, m fact, they welcomed, but the High Commissioners Offico should first of all ascertain that they would be able to earn a living in this country. Tho housing . sltoruigo should also be kept in mind. . •Mr. T. Long (Te Aroha) supported Ilia recommendation. One organisation at Home had stated that employment was assured in New Zealand, but ho knew of a caso wliero a woman with lour chi.dren had oome out to the Dominion, and tho only employment she could obtain was looking after her children. How she could live on an Imperial pension of a little over .-£2 lGs. per week was a piizzjo. The recommendation was adopted.