D.-9

1919. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF IMMIGRATION (ANNUAL REPORT OF).

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

Sir,-— Department of Immigration, Wellington, 14th August, 1919. Herewith 1 have the honour to submit the annual report upon the immigration which has taken place into New Zealand from the United Kingdom during the year 1918-19. The shipping facilities have not yet become normal, and for that reason the only assisted immigrants arriving in the Dominion during the last twelve months have been the wives and families of members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. The special concession granted to these immigrants is still in vogue, and a further arrangement has been entered into with the Defence Department with regard to the fiancees of returned soldiers. These persons are, under the usual conditions, now granted special rates. * I. am pleased to state that the privileges are much appreciated by those members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force who have served overseas. The volume of work performed by the Department has increased considerably during the past year, and at the present time the Department is dealing with more inquiries than was the case before the war. Now that the repatriation of the New Zealand soldiers is nearing completion the Department is again accepting nominations from relatives in the Dominion, and it is hoped that after September next accommodation will be available for such passengers. At the present time there is a great demand in New Zealand for domestic servants, and an endeavour is being made to arrange for a steady flow of this class of immigrant as soon as the necessary accommodation is available. The total number of arrivals in New Zealand from the United Kingdom during the year ended 31st March, 1919, was 1,310. Out of the total number of persons arriving- namely, 1,310—906 were assisted to New Zealand by the Government. The number of assisted immigrants is made up of persons nominated from New Zealand and of persons themselves applying for assisted passages in London. During the year thirteen steamers brought out assisted immigrants as follows :—

This total of 906 persons is made up of 2 men, 729 women, and 175 children. These people were booked, to tho following provinces : Auckland, 219; Canterbury, 112; Hawke's Bay, 40; Marlborough, 20; Nelson, 12; Otago, 98; Southland, 20; Taranaki, 28; Wellington, 344; Westland, 13: total, 906.

Arrived in New Zealand. Steamers. Number assisted. 1918. May July October Remuera Athenic Mokoia Ionic Homeward . . Patria Remuera Tofua 142 1 5 3 14 32 108 58 )> jj jj December 1919. January February Ruahine Briton Oxfordshire Ruapehu Athenic 21 91 15 .. ! 206 ..I 210 jj March Total .. • 906