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Session 11. 1906. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF IMMIGRATION (ANNUAL REPORT UPON THE OPERATIONS OF THE).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Sik, '— Department of Immigration, Wellington, 12th July, 1906. In accordance with your direction, 1 have to submit the following report upon the number and class of immigrants who have arrived in New Zealand from the Ist April, 1905, to the 31st March, 1906; and also upon the general scope of the working of the Immigration Department in New Zealand and of the Emigration Department under the High Commissioner in London. I have, &c, Wμ. C. Kensington, Under-Secretary. The Hon. the Minister of Immigration, Wellington.

REPORT UPON IMMIGRATION. It may not be out of place to preface the report by a few remarks upon (a) the general scope of the Department's work in New Zealand, and (b) upon the work performed by the High Commissioner in London, upon whom devolves the onerous duties of selecting the emigrants from the United Kingdom and granting to them assisted passages. (a.) The Immigration Department's duties in New Zealand have hitherto been confined to receiving and answering all correspondence received from the High Commissioner, and also answering the numerous inquiries from persons anxious to bring out relatives from the United Kingdom. It has also recorded the amounts paid to the shipping companies as against the parliamentary votes, and has arranged direct with persons anxious to bring out their relatives, receiving the amounts deposited for the passages, and then advising the High Commissioner. Since the close of the financial year a new departure has been taken—viz., the sending of an experienced officer on board the steamers upon arrival to, in conjunction with an officer from the Labour Department, afford immigrants information and assistance.