IMMIGRATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 February 1920, Page 5

IMMIGRATION.

THE GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSALS. EFFORTS TO OBTAIN THE RIGHT PEOPLE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. , Wellington, Last Night. The following statement on the future immigration policy of the Government is issued with the authority of the Prime Minister; The High Commissioner has been informed by tho New Zealand Government that there is a great shortage of labor in New Zealand, both skilled and unskilled; that all ordinary unskilled labor can find immediate employment on Government and municipal works, and from private employers; that farm labor is extremely short, and married men with their wives are preferred; and that carpenters, bricklayers, miners and mechanics are required in large numbers, and command high wages.

Farm laborers and their wives will be provided with passages on payment of £lO each, the Government paying the amount of third-class fare in excess of £lO (that is, an average of about £3O in each case), and for farmers and all other classes of labor the Government i.s prepared to grant assistance to the extent of £l3 per adult. The Government has also requested the High' Commissioner to place himself immediately in communication with the Imperial authorities with the object of obtaining for New Zealand Jtsupply of immigrant soldiers, who may proceed under the Imperial Government scheme of free passages. The New Zealand Government will undertake to find employment on arrival for able-bodied men of that class, and they can be assured of constant employment, whether skilled or unskilled. The labor current rates of wages in the Dominion were supplied at the same time.

The High Commissioner has also been authorised to offer free passages to domestic servants, and to pay £2 each to such immigrants in addition to free passages. The experience of the Government is that immigrants nominated by residents in New Zealand become permanent settlers, and are more satisfactory than those who. come here without knowing much of the country, and having no relatives or connections in the dominion. Just at present there are several thousands of this class waiting for shipping accommodation. The Government has at present in hand over £50,000 on account of passage money for intending immigrants nominated by citizens of this country. A number of land women, those who assisted to keep agriculture going in Britain during the war, are also likely to come to New Zealand. Their passages will be paid by the Imperial Government in tlte same way as soldiers. 'Then there are between 700 and 800 girls, fiances of New Zealand soldiers, waiting their turn. In the case of the latter tlie New Zealand Government is contributing £26 each towards their fares. There are still nearly three thousand New Zealand citizens who were in Britain on war service, and they must be brought back to their own country a» soon as the necessary arrangements can be made for passages. The Government is impressed with the imperative necessity of attracting population to this country, because with the liabilities arising from the war, if the Dominion is to progress, as we hope it will, this nnfst be done, and no oppor- . tunity should be lost