IMMIGRANTS FROM ENGLAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 December 1920, Page 4

IMMIGRANTS FROM ENGLAND.

REDLY 'TO COMPLAINTS,

AUCKLAND, Dec. 15

An explanation of the position in regard to immigrants to New Zealand under tho Imperial Overseas Settlement , Committee’s scheme was made by Mi Thomson, Under-Secrotary for Immigration. Complaints have been made that ( some "of these immigrants who have travelled by way of Australia have not been me! oh arrival by officers of the Immigration Department, and have had difficulty in finding accommodation. Mr Thomson said the grounds foi such complaints arose wholly from the fact that in the eases concerned the Department did not receive any notification to expect these people. . Some hundreds of immigrants under the Imperial i scheme liact'bcen'liooked to Australia, in many cases without any arrangement for their conveyance to New Zalnnd. In some eases the Department had been advised of their position, and had arranged passages for them by the inteicolonial steamers. In others the immigrants had not approached tho authorities, but had themselves paid for passages, and consequently the Depart-ment-know nothing of them until they were in the Dominion. Recognising that the - position was unsatisfactory, the" Government had telegraphed tnj.be High Commissioner on November 27th, asking him to make representations to the Imperial Committee with ft view to preventing such complications. Sii I James Allen had replied that it was not intended that Imperial immigrants should travel to New Zealand by the Australian route. Coupons for passages are issued by. the Imperial Committee to approved exsoldiers. These were available through the ordinary immigration agents, and thus the committee lost control. There are approximately 4000 men, not including wives' and families, waiting for passages to New Zealand, to whom coupons have been issued, and as these make their own arrangements with local ' agents, the High. Commissioner cannot control them." Those who travel via Australia do so without the authority or knowledge of the committee or of the High Commissioner, therefore the Government of New Zealand is in no way liable for. any expenses. Mr Thomson said the Government bad now asked the High Commissioner to arrange with the Imperial Committee and shipping agents and companies that no more immigrants for New Zealand shall bo despatched via Australia. The -Government has suggested the issue of circulars to all companies and agents concerned, instructing them that persons presenting warrants ior New Zealand are to be booked by the direct route only, and has asked the High Commissioner to arrange with the Imperial Committee for the printing of this instruction on all future warrants. Tlie Department understands that ft considerable, number of immigrants are already on route via Australia, so that the difficulties previously experienced cannot be immediately remedied. Its policy is to afford every possible assist- ■ ance to immigrants whether they arrive under the Imperial or New Zealand Governments’s scheme, and so far as it can obtain information of arrivals from Australia, will afford them the same facilities as those travelling by direct route.