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not otherwise possibly be obtained. In this way the men are retained in worthwhile employment and the probable alternative of arranging special off-seasonal employment of lesser value, or perhaps of payment of unemployment benefits for a short period is avoided. 358. In view of the need for this Department, as a means of assisting towards the provision of full employment, to continue to operate hostels and camps specific authority was taken in the Employment Act empowering the Department to establish such accommodation for workers. 359. As the Department was experienced in the operation of hostels, it also took over during the year the control of a new hostel established at the Boat Harbour in Wellington for the accommodation of Cadets in the Public Service. The question of accommodation for these Cadets has always presented a problem as the demand is a very heavy one due to the centralization of the Government Services in Wellington, and the need has been proved by the fact that since this hostel was opened in November, 1945, it has always been filled to its capacity of 98 boarders, and there has always been a fairly lengthy waiting list. Accommodation in this Hostel is restricted to youths under twenty-one years of age. 360. While the camps and the Public Service Hostel are operated directly by the Department, the hostels for girls at Lower Hutt and Wellington are managed on behalf of the Department by the Y.W.C.A. This has been the case since the hostels were first opened, and the Y.W.C.A. has expressed its willingness to continue to operate these hostels for so long as the Department may desire. In view of the efficient manner in which the Y.W.C.A. has administered the hostels, and as it also takes considerable interest in the general welfare of the girls, there is no intention at present of disturbing the existing satisfactory arrangement. The Department wishes to place on record its appreciation of the excellent co-operation extended by the Y.W.C.A. authorities in connection with the administration of these hostels. 361. The capacity of the various camps and hostels as at 31st March, 1946, is set out as fallows : Auckland district — Capacity. Waikaraka Park Camps .. .. .. .. .. .. 220 Avondale Camp .. .. .. .... .. .. 220 Wellington district— Naenae Camp, Lower Hutt .. .. .. .. .. 300 Hataitai Camp, Wellington ... .. .. .. .. 220 Woburn Hostel, Lower Hutt .. .. .. .. .. 264 Orient Hostel, Wellington .. .. .. .. .. 80 Public Service Hostel, Wellington .. .. .. .. .98 (iii) Immigration 362. Inquiries from persons contemplating migration to New Zealand were centralized in this Department in November last, and at that date the Department assumed responsibility for the entry into this country of European-British migrants. The agreements covering assisted migration to New Zealand were suspended at the outbreak of hostilities and have remained in abeyance throughout the year. Therefore the Department has dealt with prospective immigrants solely from the angle of advising people who were in a position to come here on their own initiative. In such cases the inquirers were told of the regulations governing their entry and settlement in New Zealand, and advised concerning their likely employment prospects here. In addition to dealing with the steadily increasing flow of civilian inquiries, the Department has issued certificates authorizing the settlement in New Zealand of many British Service personnel who were serving abroad. These persons who elected, under the British Government Release Regulations, to be demobilized in New Zealand have, subject to health and nationality, been advised that they will be welcome to settle here and that this Department will assist them in finding employment.

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