SUITABLE IMMIGRANTS

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10713, 7 November 1912, Page 6

SUITABLE IMMIGRANTS

THE POSITION AT HOME

Mr Walter Macfarlane, of Waiwara, who is at present on a visit to England, has written to Mr E H. Labatt, secretary of the Canterbury Sheepowners' Union, on the subject of tho emigration of farm workers and domestic helps to New Zealand, says the Press. Mr Macfarlane states that one of the difficulties in connection with obtaining suitable domestic, helps is the stringent conditions imposed by the Xew Zealand Government as to the qualifications, viz.. That girls must produce references from two former mistresses or employers . certi lying that they have already been in domestic service. Ho was informed by the .British Women's Emigration Association and also by Mr T. E. Donne, Government officer in charge, than many suitable women havo their applications rejected because they . luvo not previously been in service. These would make very suitablo helps for the Dominion. Many of these applicants were women who had been - occupied in carrying out domestic duties in their own homes, but through stress of circumstances wished to improve their positions and increase their earnings by emigrating. If these assistants were allowed the concessions under reduced fares, a number would td\o the opportunity of going to Now Zealand where, generally speaking, every effort was mado to make the domestic help's life a happy one. Mr Macfarlane reports that tho British Women's Emigration Association who in the past assisted many emigrants to Canada and South | Africa, new receive fewer applications J which is probablv due to the present demand in England for trained domestics. In regard to firm labour. Mr Mae; fa rhino is of opinion that the Sedgewick scheme would be more satisfactory if greater care woro taken in selecting boys suitable for country life in the Dominion. There are plenty of men of a good class available in the country districts,-.who would do well for themselves on farms, in a country like Xew Zealand. Mr Macfarlane adds that Mr Donne fully realises that every care should ho taken in the matter of emigration, and is doing his best for the Dominion in preventing the exportation of unsuit tblo emigrants.