BRITISH MIGRANTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 238, 5 October 1923, Page 9

BRITISH MIGRANTS.

WELCOME TO DELEGATES. AT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. NO DEFINITE POLICY. A special meeting of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday afternoon for the purpose of tendering a welcome to the British Overseas "Settlement Delegation, Sir William Windham, General A. G. Wauchope, and Mr. .lames Wignall. M.P. Mr. II- W. Hudson presided. Sir \\ ilham Windham said the delegation had come to New Zealand to study conditions a view to placing immigrants on the land. When the Prime Ministers met in 1021 they rerolveu that State-aided immigration was of importance to the Empire as a whole. The result of that was that the Imperial Government decided to expend £3,000,000 per annum for 15 years for the purpose of land development and settlement. They had only a few weeks' time to devote to New Zealand. They had endeavoured to get all possible information. Their agricultural representative was going further afield to see land in the back country. When they met the Ministers at Wellington the position was made clear that there was not at present a definite immigration policy. They learned, however, that people were being brought out under the nominated sys- " tern, and he hoped that the number might increase to about 10,000 a year They were anxious to see that the right sort of people were placed on the land. The committee at Home were very careful to get the 'best kind oi immigrant. It was no good to send people out until the country was readytor them. Sir William explained that it was no part of the duty of the Imperial Government to go into the question of selection of immigrants. He was glad to see that the New Zealand Government was doing all it could for the new arrivals. They were looked after, and placed in proper situations. They would welcome private organisations to look after the new arrivals. Their aim was to get information regarding the position in New Zealand. Capital and the Land. The chairman said it required a man with a special temperament to be a success as a settler. Nowadays, with high cost of everything, it required more capital to go on the land. The trouble was that local bodies could get plenty of money on debentures, but very "little was available for loans to farmers, who were producers. If the incidences of taxation were adjusted the position of the farmer would cc improved. Mr. Hudson said while welcoming immigrants, he felt it was a matter that required to 'be gone into Tery carefully. Mr. Lunn said it was important that young coming 'to New Zealand should have some knowledge as to the conditions they had to face. Mr. Albert Spencer, president of the Immigration League, said people who came to 'New Zealand must realise they had to work hard here. If there was a real settled land policy in New Zealand the Country would go ahead by leaps and bounds. He was in favour of getting our own kith and kin from Britain to settle the Dominion. They must have a defined policy before the people were brought out. Mr. Spencer said they wanted the British Empire to prosper, and should therefore make room Tor people willing to come out from the Old Country. A Satisfactory System. - • Mr. Hill said there was too much talk about the men who came out here having to work. He always found that the "Homies" could work as well as the colonial. He found that men from the Old Country took their work seriously. Mr. H. D. Thompson said the Immigration Department, Wellington, claimed that the nominated system was very satisfactory in its results. People were not likely to nominate people wno would be an incubus upon them after arrival. After further desultory conversation a vote of thanks was accorded the delegation, who were then taken in motor cars to visit the Veterans' Home.