ADVICE TO IMMIGRANTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 214, 10 September 1928, Page 17

ADVICE TO IMMIGRANTS.

WORK OF HIGH COMMISSIONER ; DEFENCE BY ENGLISHMAN. Mr. Cecil Bedford, solicitor, of London, writes to us as follows — I read with ifauch interest the article headed "Fare For Migrants Government Booklet," contributed by "Petroe" to your issue of June 14. As an Englishman unconnected in any way with the office of the High Commissioner for New Zealand in London, but much interested in New Zealand itself, may I be permitted to reply to the serious reflections which the article in question cast by implication upon the activities of the High Commissioner's office in London so far as emigration from England to New Zealand is concerned? In the first place it would appear that inasmuch as the brochure in question was printed in New Zealand and published by the authority of the responsible Minister at Wellington, any criticism should be addressed directly to the Minister in question. In the second place the brochure in question was no doubt compiled and edited when economic conditions in New Zealand were vastly better than they are today.

The brochure, like all other New Zealand Government publications, is not distributed broadcast, but is handed on request to inquirers by the officials of the High Commissioner's Office, detailed to answer questions and give any information that may be sought. Inquirers are usually given the official handbook, which is extremely frank and gives plain and unvarnished facts. In the handbook is set out a list of the current rates of pay in nearly all trades in New Zealand, and it is obvious to anyone who reads it that the average working man in New Zealand earns .a little more tlian his English brother and that his food' (the prices of the principal commodities being set out) is also a little cheaper, but in the same handbook he is plainly told that in the main manufactured articles in New Zealand are dearer than in England. | Furthermore, within a few feet of the counter at which the brochures are handed out and information given, and in the same room, are the files of leading New Zealand newspapers openly displayed and a perusal of the advertisement columns of any of the papers would be any inquirer a true- indication of the economic conditions prevailng. Intending emigrants have for many months been asked if they have a good job in England, and if the answer is in the affirmative they invariably receive the advice to "stop where you are."

I have from time to time made numerous inquiries at the Information Bureau of the Office of the High Commissioner in London, and have always received without equivocation or reservation, the information I desired, The officials have always endeavoured—with that courtesy which always distinguishes them—-to answer faithfully the questions I have put to them. In England we do not think that the j wholesale dumping of our unemployed in the Dominions and Colonies is the solution of our problem. . Finally, I have ascertained from the High Commissioner's Office that only 1000 copies m all of the brochure were sent to the office, and that these were all distributed prior to June, 1927.