IMMIGRATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 May 1923, Page 4

IMMIGRATION.

GOVERXAIEXT’S POLICY. STUTKMENT BY THK MINISTER. AVEIiLTXGTOX, X! ny 10. The Minister of Immigration. (Hon. W. Nosworthy) Las issued the following xtatmoment regarding the. Government's immigration policy: The importance of a sound immigration and land settlement policy was apparent to the Government when it took office in 1012, with the result that a separate Immigration Department was created in .191:1, and from that time onward (with the exception of the war period) there has been a steady How of immigrants of the right class from the United Kingdom to the Dominion, 1 radically all of whom have been satisfactorily absorbed without disturbing llu- industrial conditions of the Dominion. .Early in 19U a juvenile immigration policy (ages Hi to 20 years), and a land settlement scheme were on the point of being brought into operaI linn, -in fact, under the former, two • parties of fifty each of farm hoys wore ! brought to the Dominion—when the war broke out, immigration, for the time being, was suspended until alter the repatriation of members of the Xew Zealand Expeditionary Force, with the exception of the facilities granted to enable their wives, families, and fiancees of members of the abovementioned Force to proceed to their now homes. At this period the Government had already commenced its scheme of 'settling returned soldiers j on the land, and therefore, it was not possible to offer any special concessions to immigrants for land settlement. However, in 1920. the Government decided to again commence a vigorous immigration policy, and with that end in view accepted immigrants under the Imperial Government Overseas .Settlement Scheme, which provided fee- free passages for ex-members of the Imperial Forces, both Army and Navy together with their dependants. The Government also opened up its own nominated policy by allowing any resident of the Dominion the privilege of nominating tiny person residing in the United Kingdom, irrespective of relationship or occupation, ibis resulted in 10,107 immigrants arriving in the Dominion during the period from April ]>t.. 1920. to March 31st.. 1921. which constituted a teerrd number since 1879. The majority of these people were absorbed in the country districts, and have become a real live asset to the Dominion.

■'Unfortunately at the beginning of 1921 a grave financial ami commercial outlook, which was universal, and really the aftermath, of the war. made its presence felt in Xew Zealand. therefore the Government reluctantly decided that certain restrictions wore necessary regarding the acceptance ol immigrants under the Oversea Settlement scheme. This was the means ol curtailing the number of arrivals which otherwise could have been readily end satisfactorily absorhed. Tn 1922 the Imperial Government placed on the Statutes an Act entitled ‘’The Empire Settlement Act. 1922.” which authorised the Imperial Government to co-ope-rate with the Government ol any part of iiis .Majesty's Dominions, with a view to affording joint assistance to suitable persons in the United Kingdom who intend to settle in any part of his .Majesty’s Dominion. An agreed scheme untler this Act may he either (ui a development or land settlement s, home, nr (b) a scheme fir facilitating ..ei:b menl in. or migration U>, ; >n,. j.i-f of !ri Majesty’s oversea Dominion: by a -Flame with passage-, iliuj.il allowance, special training, or in liern c-e. For the reasons alrcadt Mated there has been no opportunity lor llie Government to develop a- special land settlement scheme for the new arrivals. However, they aie eligible to take advantage c-f the privileges under the Government Advances U Set I Ids’ Act. "11l view of these circumstances, it (ms. been decided to hold in abeyance lor a further period ol twelve months the question of entering mto u scheme under " a”, but with regard to • l f,” an agreement has been entered into between the two Governments which completely overshadows similar agreements made with other parts of the Empire, as the following comparisons will show : The cost of passage for a man, his wile, tour children of ages between 3 and 12 years to Can: da is £72. to Australia £9(i, ami to Xew Zealand £3O. The Government is fully alive to the importance of the question of immigration, and its present policy, under which an average of 8009 souls per annum have been absorbed during the last three years, proved to be most beneficial to the Dominion. Under this policy provision is made whereby the best- class of settlers can he procured, primary and secondary industries catered for. and an individual resident of the Dominion can secure his friends from the 1 nited Kingdom at the lowest lares. and under the most advantageous conditions ever offered to the people ol Xew Zealand.”