Women Immigrants

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 259, 31 March 1914, Page 5

Women Immigrants

THEIR CHARACTER IMPUGNED. MINISTER. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. In the course of his reply to a deputation of women, who, among other matters, referred to the supervision of women immigrants, the Hon. H. D. Bell said that it was only with a very small class that the Government was concerned: The Government had no control over those who booked their own passages and were not beholden to the Government for assistance, nor was it responsible in any way for their conduct. As to those whom the Government, through t« \w 7 C ° mm « sl <"><"-> assisted to come to New Zealand, he said: "It is my business to defend these people, and I will that'll, ' em - * Wi " " 0t have ifc that there is any proportion of them I know to the contrary, and I want you to understand that anyone who Avs the that is my enemy to this extent, that I will contradict it and con, t.avene it whenever I get an opportunity, because the girls have no one to defend them but myself" He urged that the system of obtaining references for assisted immigrants wat oe complete as it could be, and as to the matrons ,n charge on the ships, he said they were in many cases coming out under engagements as nurses to the Hea th .Department or the Mental Hospitals Department, and thus had a dual responsibility. "I stand by the matrons and defend them," he declared "and I say it is not fair to say that in'pracically every case they are not competent women." As to preventing girls landing where theyliked, heiaidnothng could prevent them -breaking their con* aing T! rr OTW,,otbcsentto p^