A.—7

4

them to keep in touch with the association, which is always ready to assist them in finding employment or to afford them hostel facilities. Clubs and social amenities are provided at all the chief centres in the Dominion, where women of all types and classes are made welcome. The buildings of the association in Wellington and Auckland were inspected and found to be excellent in every respect. Domestic workers on arrival are taken to the association's hostel, where twenty-four hours' free board and lodging is provided, at the expense of the Government, and from whence each girl is sent to her place of employment. In cases of girls travelling to country districts, representatives of the association meet each new-comer at the station of arrival and. ensure her safe reception at the employer's house. (e.) The Victoria League. —The Victoria League carries on organized work in most of the more important towns, and co-operates with the Women's Branch of the Oversea Settlement Committee by receiving introductions from the branch and assisting women, thus introduced, in any way that may prove possible. Positions are often found for those in need of employment, and social welcome to new-comers is always provided by the league to British settlers from overseas with whom its members can get into touch. (/.) The Girl's Friendly Society. —The Girls' Friendly Society has established hostels in various centres, where temporary accommodation can be obtained by new-comers or other women settlers. Clubs and social amenities organized in connection with the hostels are open to all British girls, whether members of the society or only of the general public. (//.) Returned Soldiers' Association. —The work of this association in connection with ex-service men is referred to upon page 6. We see no reason for suggesting any improvements in, or extension of, the activities of these voluntary societies, which are of considerable assistance to the new settlers. 9. Unassisted Migrants.—The Government Immigration Department has a working arrangement with the Salvation Army to provide whatever temporary accommodation may be needed for unassisted migrants who do not enter the Dominion under the Empire Settlement Act. Two of the private hotels available for this purpose at Auckland were inspected and found to be well managed and comfortable. Steps are also taken by the Department to secure early employment for such persons. For this purpose it acts as a Labour Bureau, and has experienced little difficulty in obtaining situations for suitable migrants. IV. CLASSES OF MIGRANTS. 10. Farmers. —An experienced farmer with a sufficient amount of capital will find good opportunities of establishing himself. It is always advisable, however, that he should gain local experience before buying or leasing land by working for a qualified agriculturist. Officials of the Agricultural Department will be ready to give him practical advice upon this point. When he has acquired the necessary experience, he may have a choice of sheep-farming, stockraising, dairying, fruit-cultivation, or mixed farming. The further afield he is prepared to go the cheaper will be his land and the better his chance of larger returns in the end. But pioneering work, of course, involves hardships, risks, and isolation—perhaps for many a year —and, generally speaking, it is better to leave the development of new lands in the backblocks to those already in the country, who understand how to overcome the difficulties and are accustomed to the conditions of the bush life. 11. Agricultural Wage-earners. —There is a good demand for young active men who have agricultural experience, or who are willing to take up general farm-work as wage-earners. The minimum award rates of wages at present are —General hands, milkers, ploughmen, shepherds, from 255. to 40s. a week, with board and lodging. It will be understood that the rates vary in different parts of the country and according to the skilled or unskilled nature of the work. 12. Industrial Workers. —There is a shortage of workers in the building trade, particularly of bricklayers and stonemasons. A few miners are also required with experience in mining for coal, gold, and other minerals. Otherwise there is little demand at the present time for any other industrial workers. 13. Juveniles. —-We are in entire agreement with a widely expressed view, which met with unanimous support at many of our meetings, that satisfactory results may be looked for in any State aided and controlled scheme of juvenile migration. It would afford an excellent opportunity for a large number of young lads in the United Kingdom to obtain a training in farm-work with an ultimate prospect of becoming farmers on their own account. Their services would be very welcome in the country, and would help to develop the agricultural industry, upon the progress of which employment in the secondary industries is to a great extent dependent. A further advantage of this form of migration, though of minor importance, is that it involves a comparatively small cost to the State and does not give rise to any difficulty with regard to housing. We understand that the Government is already prepared to accept any number of public-school boys who may be nominated in New Zealand by farmers, institutions, and other approved nominators, on the condition that the right of selection is retained in the hands of the High Commissioner in London. It may be noted that a Master and Apprenticeship Act was passed in 1920, which provides for indentures of apprenticeship to be executed in England. A copy of this Act is annexed (Appendix E). A special interest is taken in this question by the following organizations : — (a.) The New Zealand Farmers' Union.- -This body laid before us a memorandum in favour of the introduction of boys for farm employment (Appendix F). They referred to the success of the