EUROPEAN EMIGRANTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 June 1920, Page 4

EUROPEAN EMIGRANTS.

No greater tribute could be pairl to the expeditionary forces of the Dominions ■than is apparent by the desire of the people of those European countries where these forces were quartered to became settlers in the far-off lands from whence ,the sons of the Empire went to the great war. A recent cable stated that I'epresentatives of Italy, the Netherlands, and Sweden are at present in London inquiring into the opportunities and facilities for settling a considerable number of their emigrants in Australasia, while there are growing numbers of applications from families in districts of France and Belgium also desirous of emigrating. At the same time the New Zealand office in London lis receiving a great number of applications, passages for emigrants being fully booked to September next. Both Australia and New Zealand are uigently in need of more population of the right sort, and the conditions of life are such that every immigrant able and willing to work can earn a comfortable lining, with exceptional prospects of becoming prosperous. Naturally, at least so far as Nerw Zealand is concerned, emigrants from the United Kingdom would be preferred, and we want the best types obtainable. There is ample room and plenty of occupation for all who desire to carve out their future here. Especially welcome would be men belonging to "building trades, laborers, miners, and those conversant with textile and other industries that are awaiting inauguration and development in order to utilise our raw material, in the country, and generally to develop the resources of tlu country. For these, and all other useful men and women, there is a clarion cryto "come over and help us." They are seeded greatly, and will be most welcome, and it is not too much to hope that even those members of the "Official" Labor Party in New Plymouth, who recently expressed a desire to open their arms to their colored brethren, would extend a welcome to their white brothers from the Homeland. An influx of steady, reliable workers would be a great boon to the country, and it will assuredly be a wise policy to institute an organised system for the reception in all the large towns of immigrants on their arrival, together with satisfactory arrangements for their distribution. Taranaki needs a considerable number, and in view of Home ships coming to Moturoa, which may possibly be the first port of call, some such organisation should exist in New Plymouth. This is emphasised by Miss Watkin, of the British Overseas Settlement Mission, in a recent letter to I the Mayor in regard to providing a hostel for women immigrants. It is only reasonable to assume that the better class of immigrants will be influenced to some extent as to what pant of the Dominion to book for by the knowledge that on their arrival they will have suitable accommodation whilst awaiting employment; somewhere to spend their holidays and when changing situations, and a haven they can regard as a temporary home. It must be remembered that every immigrant is a likely advertisement of the attractions of the Dominion for settlement, and that strange, s in a new land need a friendly hand on arrival. A happy start makes all t so difference, even with those who are able to fight their way. Making the way smooth would probably be a good insurance against unrest, an evil which needs eliminating by every possible means. It will be a great day for New Zealand when its heavy handicap of insufficient 1

adult population is removed, anil the necessary labor is available to develop its resources as well as to expand its industries. The High Commissioner's office in London should get busy'in a campaign of propaganda and moving pictures to attract emigrants to the Dominion of the types that are needed, and if careful selection is made the advance in prospe ity must bo considerable. Considering the magnitude and importance of this immigration question, the Government, sli'Mild not be content with haphazard and laissez faire measures, but should draw up a scheme that would meet ail the requirements, and galvanise the London office into the requisite activity, in j order that the needs of the Dominion 1 may be fully met.