EX-SOLDIER IMMIGRANTS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 250, 16 July 1920, Page 7

EX-SOLDIER IMMIGRANTS

PRIME MINISTER EXPLAINS POSITION. At a recent general meeting of the Wellington Returned Soldiers' Association a member handed in a copy of tho Edinburgh "Evening News," dated February 7, 1920, in which tho following paragraph, headed, "Jobs for Soldiers in New Zealand," appeared"A Wellington telegram states that the Now Zealand Government has undertaken- to find constant employment for skilled and unskilled immigrant soldiers.—(Reuter)." The meeting instructed the secretary to bnng tho matter before the notice of tho Primo Minister, asking if tho published statement had his authority, and tho following reply has been received from Mr. Masse/:— "I am in'receipt of your latter of Juno 21, asking,' firstly, whether the publication of a paragraph appearing in' tho . Edinburgh "Evoning Ne„ws" of February 7. 1920, under (the heading 'Jobs for Soldiers in Now Zealand,' had _my authority. I can assure you it. did not. "With regard to, secondly, asking for information in respect to the present immigration policy of tho Government, it is purely and Bimply what is known as tho nominated system, whereby any permanent resident of tho Dominion may nominate any person or persons residing in tho United Kingdom, irrespective of relationship or ocoupation, for a passage at reduced ratea "I would stato for your further information that the Government has already agreed to accopt any ex-Imperial soldier, together with his dependants, who is successful in obtaining a freo passage under the Overseas Settlement. Committee scheme and is proceeding to assured employment in the Dominion. This class of immigrant must bo approved of by the High Commissioner."