Brains Trust Explained N.Z. to Migrants

Grey River Argus, 8 October 1948, Page 8

Brains Trust Explained N.Z. to Migrants

WELLINGTON, October 6

A brains trust explained _ New Zealand economy and social life to settlers on the Tamaroa.

This regular Sunday night interlude proved popular with passenger. 1 ; and the trust was kept busy each session answering questions by the passengers. The idea was adopted following many unanswered requests by settlers on board, eager to know something of their new home.

Returning from his post as chief selection officer for the High Commissioner’s immigration department Mr C. J. Hay suggested a quiz period run by a team of experts. He helped to organise it and was appointed chairman.

Farming questions were dealt with by Mr M. Chambers, Hawke’s Bay Mr R. Ireland, Oamaru and Mr A. Gormack, Invercargill. Trade unionism was explained byMr J. Roberts, Canterbury, and an Auckland businessman, Mr Monroe, gave a picture of the commercial world. Income tax and banking were handled by Messrs P. Moore and L. Low. Archdeacon Taylor gave answers to spiritual questions.

Mr Hay said the service was extremely popular and the wide variety of questions showed the settlers’ interest in New Zealand to be pertinent and imaginative.