IMMIGRATION POLICY.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 April 1920, Page 7

IMMIGRATION POLICY.

HANDICAPS TO SUCCESS. ■ SHORTAGE OF SHIPPING. The Prime Minister has replied in brief terms to the Waipa County Counil in response to a, resolution propounded l>y that local body recently upon the need for pushing forward a vigorous immigration policy in the interests of Dominion industries and production. Mr. Massey stated, in a communication before the council, that the Government fully realised'the importance of immigration as a means of filling industrial vacancies throughout the Dominion. A good deal had already been done towards attracting population and assisting its migration to this country. The outstanding dilliculty up to the present had Leen the shortage of shipping accommodation, but it was hoped that this would improve shortly, and thus enable the thousands awaiting passages to reach New Zealand. The direct administration of the Immigration Department was in the bands of the Hon, Sir Franks I>ll, to whom the Prime Minister had forwarded the council's representations for consideration. .Several County Councils Ihi'oughout. the Dominion have supported Waipa's conclusions and representations on the subject, and have requested the members of their various districts to uphold it before Parliament. There was one body, however, not in sympathy just at the moment. This is the Castlepoint County Counil, which regretted "that it could not do so owing to the shortage of house aeconuiiodatiog in its district."