STARVING IMMIGRANTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 134, 9 June 1925, Page 6

STARVING IMMIGRANTS.

BURDEN ON NEW ZEALAND. DESTITUTE AND UNFIT. . APPALLINO DISCLOSURES (By Telegraph. -Special to "Star. , ') CHRISTCHL'RCK, Monday. That immigrant families are coming out to New Zealand who are not only destitute but physically unfit, and that hundreds of pounds have been spent in getting these people hack to their native land rather than have them remain a burden to the Dominion were statements made by social workers this inornhi" (says the Christchurch "Star"). Many <Jt" these people have become charges on the State from the very day of their arrival in the Dominion, and there is abundant evidence that the Government's nomination system of immigration is being abused. Much of the poverty that exists in Christchurch today is to be found amongst those people, who, with neither means nor prospects, left home in the blind hope of success overseas. Within a few minutes' walk of Cathedral Square there are houses tvhere blankets arc unknown, and where coal sacks and newspapers alone grace the beds these chill and wintry nights.

On Saturday a poorly dressed woman called at the home of a prominent social worker, and, with tears in her eyes, besceched her for food. The woman eaid her husband was out of work, and that they had six children to support, but they did not know where the next loaf of bread was going to come from. Many cases such as this have been brought to light of late. One social worker this morning described the conditions prevailing in the poorer areas as appalling. The other day a social worker in Christchurch received a letter which ran: "Madam, — Please excuse my taking the liberty of writing to you, but urgent need is the excuse. The Rotorua is bringing out my nephew, his" wife, and four children, and they will be coming to Christchurch. I have not sufficient blankets for them." The letter went on to tell of tbe poor position of the family and to ask for help.

"I once asked one family soon after their arrival why they did not bring some things with them,' , said one social worker, "and the wife told mc she did not think they would be necessary ia New Zealand."

"Many of these immigrants are absolutely without anything in the nature of personal belongings outside what they stand up in when they arrive ia this country," she continued.

There was a resolution passed at the recent hospital conference drawing the Government's attention to the manner in which the nomination system of immigration was being abused. One of the many cases that have come to light lv Christchurch was that in which an old lady nominated her nephew, who brought his wife and eight children to the Bominion with him. They had no means whatever, and became an immediate charge on the ratepayers, the husband being in an unfit state of health to work since his arrival.

Xot only the immigrants are suffering, however. Quite recently a man with five children applied to the authorities for relief, and received it. Evidentlyheartened by the reception of his first application, he tried to get money from the same source again, but the authorities had meantime, inquired into his case rather searchingly, and he was threatened with a charge of vagrancy i{ he did not get work. Thus spurred to action, he obtained a position out of the town, but a social worker, on visiting the home after his departure, found that the individual referred to had taken away foui of the five/blankets which the house possessed, and left his wife and children to do the best they could during his absence with one blanket and a few old clothes as bed covering during the severe winter weather.