DANGERS OF IMMIGRATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 134, 8 June 1926, Page 15

DANGERS OF IMMIGRATION.

(To tlie Editor.) bir, —With reference to your article on immigration in the "Star" of May 29, as a quite recent immigrant I wish to repudiate your correspondent's state-, ment as regards the poor physical types, and ihe reverse of the cream of the people being sent here. Firstly, a nominated passenger has to undergo a strict examination by a doctor selected by the emigration authorities. This examination is similar to that for a life insurance policy, and of course those not up to standard are turned down. Secondly, in six weeks aboard a liner you become acquainted with people's aspirations, possibilities and character, and I feel it due, if not to myself, then to my fellow passengers, to state that the majority, at any rate, have set out to do their best in the land of their adoption, and would say with Kipling: "If you can make an heap of all your winnings, and stake them on one game of pitch and toss, and lose, and start again at your beginning, and tell no one of your loss " Certainly work here does not seem as plentiful as we assumed at Home, and I only hope conditions will improve; but do give us a chance to prove our worth. It's hard enough to be without a job without having insinuations as to physique and throw-outs. No one had any "shoving" to do; it was a matter of choice so far as I and many others were concerned, and I may say you've to be somewhat tenacious of purpose before you actually get off.—l am, etc.,

IMMIGRANT.