The Premier's Assurance

Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2032, 26 March 1913, Page 2

The Premier's Assurance

The Manifesto tries to raise a. scare

by pointing out that the Dominion will be flooded with immigrants. But that, also, is mere dust. No Government will adopt a dumping policy. Therefore the Manifesto is manifestly <; an immigration fraud;" whilst the appeal from the country for settlement and help is the genuine article, for it has real need behind it. An assurance on both these points was given no later than yesterday by the head of the Government. In an interview with a representative of the Ironing Post, Premier Massey stated that, in connection with the Government's immigration policy, a statement ha 3 been repeatedly made by the Opposition press and by one or two Opposition members—apparently Mr Maseey had not seen the Dunedin Manifesto—to tho effect that it was tlie intention of the Government to bring 25,000 immigrants annually to New Zealand.. That statement was an impudent misrepresentation ot : what be had said when speaking to a press representative some time ago. What he really said was that the country should be gaining 25,000 people each year in immigration— that is.by excess of arrivals over departures—and that New Zealand could absorb that number. "And, ,, added Mr Maseey, : 'l believe we could, always on the understanding that the people coming here were of the right class. But that is a different thing from saying that the Government intended to introduce 25,000 immigrants annually. The Government has no intention of doing anything of the sort, but will continue a policy of encouraging men of the farming class and suitable young people for domestic service." ' Ami that should be a full and complete answer to the Trades Council's Mani festo.