D.—9

1922. 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, 28th June, 1922. Herewith I 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 1921-22. I have, &c, H. 11. Thomson, Under-Secretary. The Hon. W. Nosworthy, Minister of Immigration.

REPORT. The number of assisted immigrants arriving in the Dominion during last year reached the satisfactory total of 7,005 souls. The particulars concerning these new arrivals are given in the statistics quoted hereunder. Owing to the commercial, industrial, and financial outlook of the Dominion it was deemed advisable to confine approvals under the Imperial overseas-settlement scheme to those applicants who were either nominated or who were proceeding to assured employment and accommodation, and this has been the means of keeping the number under this heading well within the limit which could be comfortably absorbed. I am pleased to report that the nominators have carried out their obligations in fully 99 per cent, of the cases dealt with, and I can confidently state that with few exceptions the new arrivals have settled down to their new surroundings, and are a valuable asset to the Dominion. During the period under review the Department has dealt with 655 domestic servants under the G-oyernment's scheme, and also a number following this occupation who were granted passages under the Imperial overseas-settlement scheme. There is still a large demand for this class of immigrant and the parties are readily placed on their arrival. In conclusion, I may state that the machinery of the Department has worked most satisfactorily, and I wish to place on record the valuable services rendered by the officers under my control.