UNSKILLED EX-SOLDIER EMIGRANTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 September 1923, Page 3

UNSKILLED EX-SOLDIER EMIGRANTS.

[by TKLKCRAVII-- I’KR fltl.SS ASSOCIATION.] DUNEDIN. Sept. 1-1. General YVatichopc. a member ol the British Overseas Settlement Delegation. met the members of the K.K.A. at noon to-day, to discuss the proposals for ex-soldier immigrants to New Zealand. He explained that only about 10 pet* cent, of the ex-soldier immigrants would he skilled workers n> farmers. The opinion was expressed that there would be no difficulty for unskilled men to get work during the greater part ol the year. If a man proved satislaetory. the probability was that the larnier would keep him on over the slack period of May. June and July, so that lie would la; sure ol satisfactory service w ben the hits' tune t omllietieed. General Wain-hope inquired regarding the wages for bum-workers, and Ml Forsyth, ns the son of a farmer, expressed the opinion that a skilled man was always sine of work and could get about £2 a week and keep, and an unskilled man "as always sure of work*, and could start at 20s or 25s and keep, witli the prospects of a lull wage at the end of a year if lus service was satisfactory.

It was emphasised that hard work was an essential feature, and General Want-hope said that, under his proposals, an ex-soldier would have to possess a certificate that he was prepared to work luird lie lore he would be brought

Mr Thomson (Under Secretary for the Immigration Department) said that Auckland alone could absorb 500 lurnt labourers. There was no need to tear that tut iiitlitx of workers Horn oversea, would be to the detriment of the New Zealand workers. It was agreed that any immigrant desiring to set himself .upon a farm of his own would he best advised, first, to gain two or three years experience on the hind and then invest in a small dairy Inim, which was prelentblc. as it did not tequire so much money to start, and ga'o returns in the form of monthly cheques.

Miss Gladys Bolts, M.B.E. « mcml,r.|- of the Delegation, delivered an address before the members of the Dunedin Branch of the Victoria League at noon to-day. The speaker said that there were two and a.-hall millions ot surplus people in Great Britain wailing to he absorbed in the Dominions. The old type, of domestic servant was non ost. The supply must no" he drawn from two classes, the lactury gill and the bettor-educated girl. EX-SOLDTER’B VIEWS. DUNEDIN, Sept. 14. General Wauchope this evening net ex-New Zealand and Imperial * ; Ideas to gain information regarding the prospects for Imperial ex-soldiers in the Dominion, particularly in tanning "orit. A number t:f Imperial men gave their personal experiences, the general opinion being that the conditions in New Zealand were much better than those in tnc Old Country for a man not afraid of work.

A conference "a- held in the l own PI nil to-night between Sir William Windham. Mr J. Wignall. 11.1’., and the members of the Otago Trades and Labour Council, on the question ot immigration. Mr H. D. Thompson (New Zealand Government Immigration Agent). Mr J. W. Munro, M.R.. and Mill ,C. Cameron were also present.

The delegation impressed open ti'-e conference that they were not there as the advice guard of a mass immigra-

tion. y\v J. W. Munro said ho would gladIv welcome the introduction of people o 'f t |,eir own kith and kin. hut he would object to indiscriminate immigration. There was no room for tradesmen in die Dominion at the present tunc. Other speakers urged that there was no room for immigrants at present, and that it would he wrong to encourage it.