NAVVIES FOR NEW ZEALAND.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12482, 19 April 1906, Page 7

NAVVIES FOR NEW ZEALAND.

CIRCULAR BY THE HIGH COMMISSIONER. (FROM Or/R OW.V ConRKSPOXDEVT.) LONDON, March 17. The High Commissioner has issued a circular, which has been, free of advert:'s?ment charges, published in hundreds of newspapei-s, with the result that now from 200 to 250 letters aro received every morning at tho London Office of tho Now Zealand Government, asking for information. This circular, which is an "authorised statement," is worded as follows:— "For many years tho Government of New Zealand have adopted the farseeing policy of encouraging suitable persons to come from this country, while at the same time taking steps to open up unoccupied lands by railways and roads, so that new-comers may be able to .settle as cultivators of the land. There can bo no doubt of the success of this policy. New Zealand possesses a pleasant climate and fertile soil, not excelled by any other country in the world, for the profitable production of every description of grain, fruit, and for the rearing of sheep, cattle and horses. New Zealand is eminently fitted, therefore, for small farming, and one of the results of the Government's policy is that every year a number of wage-earners take up land for farming, and become their own masters. The High Commissioner for the colony lias received a cablegram from his Government, stating that in order to complete the Trunk lino of Railway in tho North Island within the next three years, ono thousand railway nayvies are required, but that this number of men aro not at the moment to be had in New Zealand. To give suitable men an opportunity of sliaring in tho good prospects which this opening offers, the High Commissioner is authorised to extend the present system of reduced rate passages to good pick-and shovel men without requiring any capital qualification, so that, subject to his being satisfied as to their character, health and physique, they can have passages to New Zealand for £10. This concos>ion will l>e extended to their wives and children. The rate paid for piece-work to men of this class enables them to earn from 6s to 9s per diem. There arc occasional opportmiities given of even larger earnings, under the Government system of co-operative contracts. It must be understood that the Government, while not guaranteeing employment, will see that the men are offered work, and taken to it on their arrival in the colony. It may be added-that there is a Government Labour Bureau at Wellington which lias some 200 branches in various parts of the colony, and at which every information and assistance is given to men on arrival in New Zealand. Exjierienced farm labourers are also in demand, and if approved by tho High Commissioner, will receive reduced rate passages, i.rovided they can land in New Zealand with not less than five pounds (£5)." Tho Now Zealand Government now is also offering to one thousand domestic servants, of good ..earth and character, reduced passages without capital qualification. And up to the present two hundred navvies have Won accepted on the same terms for emigration to tho colony. The first hatch left last week by the s.s. lonic.